Photo: Octavia Avesca Spandiel
The event recognised the farmers behind the country’s best mohair clips of the year, selected through a rigorous judging process based on quality, consistency, and craftsmanship.
The prestigious Grand Champion Trophy went to Van Hasselt Farming. Accepting the award, Jordi van Hasselt said the recognition reflected the dedication and effort of his entire team.
“Thank you very much for this award. We take an enormous amount of pride in what we do. There’s a huge amount of work that goes into it. The teams on the farm work really hard, and without them, this wouldn’t be possible.
“Thank you to Mohair South Africa and Miyuki for having awards like this. We really appreciate it. We value this,” Van Hasselt said.
Chris Hobson, chairperson of MSA, commended farmers for their consistent quality and commitment to excellence.
“Dedication, skill, and care lie at the heart of the successful clips we honoured tonight. We thank the judges of this year’s competition for their expertise. Their discerning eye for quality has been invaluable in upholding the high standards we celebrate this evening,” he said.
According to Hobson, the kid, young, and adult mohair clips were judged based on several factors: staple style and character, coefficient of variation in length and micron, freedom from seed and stain, absence of kemp, overall appearance and handling, and clip preparation.
Anthony Kirsten, chairperson of the Mohair Trust, spoke about the long-standing partnership between Miyuki Keori and South African mohair farmers.
“It’s a prestigious competition, not because of the size of the prize, but because it commands the respect of growers. That’s something deeply embedded in Japanese culture; it’s not just about glamour or money but about what your peers think of your work,” he said.
Kirsten also delivered a message from Yoshi Watanabe, managing director of Miyuki Keori:
“Miyuki started in 1905 with the goal of becoming a high-quality textile maker. In 2025, our company celebrates its 120th anniversary with a reputation for excellence. As we look to the future, we aim to evolve as a sustainable enterprise, promoting responsible production and procurement, and fostering the relationship between producers and consumers. For Japanese consumers, the name Miyuki is firmly linked to mohair fabrics and fibre,” Watanabe said.
The other farmers honoured on the night were:
- JPM Nortje (Michau Nortje): Reserve Grand Champion
- Gert Jordaan Familie Trust (Pieter Jordaan): Champion Winter Clip
- Sarel du Plessis: Reserve Champion Winter Clip
- FEC Farming (Fred Colbourne): Champion Summer Clip
- Delport Broers (Bernard and Johannes Delport: Reserve Champion Summer Clip
According to Marco Coetzee, general manager of MSA, the awards evening was a proud moment for the mohair industry, as it highlighted the passion and precision of the farmers who helped sustain one of South Africa’s most prized agricultural exports.
