PORT ELIZABETH-based Momento’s of Africa has been named the Mohair Processor of the Year by the Mohair Growers Association in its annual 2002 awards. Momento’s operates the Mogo specialist tourist shop at The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World, as well as outlets in the Port Elizabeth, Durban and Howick airports, according to director and founder Roger Smith. There are plans to expand further in the Gauteng and United States markets. One of the most popular choices – for tourists and locals alike – is a range of hand-woven mohair scarves, blankets, pullovers and wall hangings. These products are made in a worker-owned factory started by Smith and his wife Lin in an old aircraft hanger. The factory currently provides 30 jobs, and this will increase to 50 when production moves to a new facility, according to Smith. Seventy per cent of production is exported to the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Italy. Mogo, which also sells ostrich-skin handbags and a variety of other mementoes of Africa, has become a “destination shop” at The Boardwalk, according to Smith. “The Boardwalk is attracting tourists from the local game lodges like Shamwari, as well as tourists from cruise ships docking in the harbour,” he says.