The 2026 Daïdoh awards ceremony took place in Robert Sobukwe Town on 12 November, alongside the Angora Stud Breeders Society’s stud ewe auction and gala dinner. The awards recognise South African Angora farmers whose summer kid mohair clips achieve the highest average prices, celebrating the production standards required to deliver premium-quality fibre.
Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Short said he has been participating in the competition for 15 to 20 years and has been classing mohair since 1988.
He described his win as a great honour, particularly given the years of work and experience behind producing a competitive clip.
Six months of preparation
Short says producing a high-quality summer kid mohair clip requires careful management throughout the production cycle, with preparation beginning well before shearing.
The process involves around six months of work, from the birth of the kids through to preparing their fibre for shearing.
“Attention to detail when classing the mohair is also important. I do that myself to make sure the right fibre ends up in the right bale,” he explained.
Short believes consistency in genetic selection and the physical preparation of the animals are equally important for achieving good results.
He personally undertakes the classing process to ensure the fibre is correctly sorted and that quality standards are maintained throughout the clip.
For farmers hoping to enter the competition, Short advised focusing on the fundamentals of mohair production rather than looking for shortcuts.
“Invest in good-quality genetics, get your hair sorting right, and pay attention to dipping and preparation. When classing the clip, attention to detail is important. Above all, be consistent in what you do,” he said.
Celebrating South African mohair excellence
The Daïdoh awards also celebrate the long-standing relationship between Mohair South Africa (MSA) and Japanese textile and apparel company Daïdoh, which has been sourcing South African mohair for its premium collections for decades.
The awards have recognised excellence among South African Angora farmers for more than 30 years, strengthening the relationship between the country’s mohair producers and international textile markets.
Speaking at the event, Chris Hobson, chairperson of MSA, said international partnerships were fundamental to ensuring a sustainable future for the industry.
“These awards aren’t simply about the fibre we produce. They’re about the care, consistency, innovation, and pride that go into producing it. Mohair is not just a natural fibre; it’s a story of people, place, passion, and perseverance,” he said.
The other four award recipients were David Short of David Short Farming in Robert Sobukwe Town (second place), Bernard Delport of Delport Broers Boerdery BK in De Rust (third), Paul Webber of PF Webber in KwaMaqoma (fourth), and Jordi van Hasselt of Van Hasselt Farming in Prince Albert (fifth).
Marco Coetzee, general manager of MSA, said the awards evening was a proud moment for the mohair industry, recognising the passion and precision of the farmers who help sustain one of South Africa’s most prized agricultural exports.
