How Barnard Mohair Keeps South Africa’s Mohair Heritage Alive

In Alicedale, a small Eastern Cape town with a longstanding connection to mohair production, Barnard Mohair has spent decades transforming one of South Africa’s most distinctive natural fibres into finely crafted textiles. Founded in 1967 by Jan Paul and Elsa Barnard, the family-owned company has built its reputation on the careful processing of mohair, preserving the skills and knowledge behind a material deeply rooted in the region.

Today, the business is led by Louise Cameron, whose connection to the company extends beyond its production floor. Growing up around the factory gave her an early appreciation for the people and processes behind each finished piece. That understanding continues to shape the company’s approach, where quality depends as much on accumulated experience as it does on the fibre itself

Mohair, sourced from Angora goats, is prized for its lustre, softness and durability. South Africa produces more than half of the world’s mohair, with the Eastern Cape accounting for approximately 48% of the country’s production. For Barnard Mohair, this proximity to the industry is central to its identity. The company works with a fibre that carries both economic significance and a particular sense of place, connecting local producers, skilled makers and international demand.

Cameron describes mohair as “a noble fibre”, an assessment reflected in the attention given to its transformation. Producing a finished textile involves a 16-stage process, requiring technical precision and a close understanding of how the material behaves. Each throw incorporates 670 threads, with the final result shaped by the consistency of the yarn, the expertise of the people working with it and the decisions made throughout production.

The scale of an order also influences the process. Producing ten throws, for instance, requires a different approach from producing 100, making flexibility and experience important to the company’s work. With a team of eight employees, seven of whom are women, Barnard Mohair’s operations remain closely connected to the people whose skills sustain the business. Their contribution is part of a wider manufacturing story in which preserving traditional knowledge and supporting local employment are inseparable from producing a quality product.

Material responsibility is another consideration. Barnard Mohair holds Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) approval, reflecting a commitment to responsible sourcing within the mohair supply chain. Mohair is also a natural fibre, contributing to textiles that draw on renewable materials rather than relying entirely on synthetic alternatives. Cameron notes that 96% of the fibres used in the relevant textile composition are natural, reinforcing the appeal of materials that combine tactile qualities with a connection to the natural world.

The value of this craftsmanship is increasingly visible in contemporary interiors and hospitality, where locally made objects can establish a stronger relationship between a place and the materials used within it. A recent example is Hiddn by Mantis, a luxury eco-lodge in the Zuurberg Mountains near Addo, where bespoke Barnard Mohair throws were commissioned for the property. Created in collaboration with MI Design, the throws bring the warmth and texture of mohair into spaces shaped by the surrounding landscape.

For Samantha Levey, the relationship between conservation and local craft is significant because it helps protect heritage, sustain skills and create economic opportunities for surrounding communities. At Hiddn by Mantis, the use of locally produced textiles connects the guest experience to a broader network of regional makers and material traditions.

Yet the story begins long before a throw reaches a guest room. At Barnard Mohair, it lies in the accumulated knowledge of a family business, the precision of a multi-stage manufacturing process and the people who understand how to bring the fibre to life. In an industry increasingly attentive to provenance and responsible production, the company demonstrates how South African craftsmanship can remain relevant by continuing to invest in the skills, materials and communities that have sustained it for generations.

Credits

Images: Supplied