The Story Of South Africa’s Marvellous Mohair

And it all started with the Sultan’s mistake

Mohair, as the name suggests, actually is hair. Hair off the back of a specialist breed Angora goat, sheared twice a year to make a silky yarn that can be fashioned into anything from coats to cardigans to shawls and throws. Mohair is known for its silky sheen and softness and was often referred to as the diamond yarn for its scarcity and luxurious richness.

Most confuse Mohair with Angora wool — which is entirely different. Angora wool is the fur off Angora rabbits, not goats.

But what I didn’t know was that South Africa is the biggest exporter and industry for the finest mohair from Angora goats. My husband on a recent business trip to Cape Town brought back the most beautiful mohair throw and that ignited my interest and curiosity.

A quick look in google maps confirmed that Angora is a place in Turkey, miles and oceans apart from the southern tip of South Africa. So how come Angora goats farming became such a big industry and more importantly, the finest most luxurious mohair carries the South Africa’s hallmark?

It all started in 1838 with the Sultan’s mistake.

But going even further back, mohair had been used to keep bodies warm since biblical times. It became…