Eastern Cape Reinforces Its Global Mohair Leadership with SAMIL’s Strategic Processing Expansion

The Eastern Cape’s position as the global epicentre of mohair production was placed at the centre of the discussions as SAMIL Natural Fibres unveiled a R21 million new state-of-the-art carding machine at the SAMIL Border Combing Plant in Ntabozuko.

The unveiling of the new carding machine ultimately represents more than technological advancement. It reflects a strategic investment in value-addition, rural industrialisation and inclusive economic participation. By strengthening processing capacity within the province that produces the majority of the world’s mohair, the Eastern Cape continues to uphold its position not only as a leading agricultural producer, but as a globally competitive centre of specialised textile processing.

Established in 1987, the SAMIL Border Combing Plant has undergone continuous upgrades to evolve into one of South Africa’s leading mohair processing facilities. South Africa currently accounts for 56% of global mohair production, with approximately 75% of that output originating from the Eastern Cape. In 2025, SAMIL commanded an estimated 41% share of South Africa’s total exports of mohair top and noil, positioning the plant as a key anchor within the global textile value chain. The installation of the new carding machine is aimed at enhancing fibre preparation processes, improving efficiency and quality consistency, and strengthening the plant’s ability to meet premium export standards in increasingly competitive international markets.

SAMIL Chief Executive Officer, Evert Vermeulen, described the expansion as a defining moment for the industry. He noted that the investment demonstrates what is possible when industry and government collaborate with intentionality to secure long-term sustainability and competitiveness. He stated that the facility stands as proof of value-addition taking place within the province, transforming raw fibre sourced from Eastern Cape farmers into high-quality processed products destined for global markets.

The MEC for Agriculture, Nonceba Kontsiwe, welcomed the expansion as a reaffirmation of the Eastern Cape’s leadership in the sector. She expressed pride in hosting a combing facility of this calibre in Ntabozuko, underscoring that the Eastern Cape is not merely another producing region but the home of mohair globally. She highlighted that strengthening agro-processing capacity is central to the province’s agenda of creating jobs from farming, enhancing rural industrialisation and empowering black mohair producers.

MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Nonkqubela Peters, positioned the expansion as a strong signal of investor confidence in the province’s policy environment and industrial development strategy. She noted that investing in industrial capacity within areas historically overlooked for development reflects a commitment to inclusive growth that is geographically closer to communities. The MEC further highlighted that the plant has created and sustained 82 permanent jobs to date, contributing meaningfully to economic stability in the surrounding community.  She also thanked the ECDC stating that “through grants and loans, the ECDC has shown commitment in building a pipeline of emerging producers of mohair. However, it’s important that production empowerment is merged with processing capacity. If we support emerging farmers to grow, we must also ensure that they have reliable, world-class local processing facilities to ensure participation in premium export markets”.

Supporting the ECDC’s catalytic role in strengthening the pipeline of black mohair producers. Vuyokazi Gwabeni, Senior Manager: Investment Promotion stated, “in collaboration with the Mohair Empowerment Trust, the ECDC has invested in capacitating emerging farmers toward commercial viability. Through targeted financial instruments such as Imvaba and STREPP, as well as support in the provision of shearing equipment and quality improvement initiatives, we are working to enhance fibre quality at the sourcing stage while ensuring integration into downstream processing opportunities”.

The programe concluded with Keith Green, SAMIL Plant Manager, taking the guests through the facility and its operational processes, providing practical insight into how raw mohair is received, sorted, carded, combed and prepared for export. The walkthrough offered a detailed demonstration of the plant’s machinery, fibre handling systems and quality assurance mechanisms that underpin SAMIL’s global competitiveness. This was followed by a tour of the plant, enabling stakeholders to appreciate the technical precision and industrial discipline required to maintain South Africa’s dominant position in the global mohair market.