Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
The National Wool Growers’ Association (NWGA) held their annual general meeting on 4 June this year at the Kelway Hotel in Gqeberha, rendering vital information and networking opportunities which are important for sustainable progress in the South African wool industry.
Billy van Zyl’s annual NWGA chairperson report consisted of a mixed bag of significant progress, noteworthy resilience, and some challenges such as economic uncertainty faced by the local wool industry. “The wool industry in South Africa continues to be an agricultural cornerstone and this year wool production reached approximately 46 million kilograms and wool was exported to eight countries,” he said.
“Prices showed more stability while sustainability and traceability are increasingly supported by more producers who are embracing regenerative farming practices and wool certification schemes on their farms.” He furthermore referred to the importance of the NWGA’s training programmes and workshops which are attended by farmers and farm workers to help them apply farming practices suitably.
“Some of the challenges we have been experiencing this year, include global supply chain disruptions from changing trade policies. The ongoing threat of synthetic textiles also remains a concern, although the wool industry’s commitment to quality and sustainability still sets our product apart from those materials.” He concluded his report by thanking all the NWGA members and management for their support and hard work in keeping the legacy of South African wool alive.
Technical matters on the wool table
Important services that are provided by the NWGA, like commercial production advisory services and the challenges associated with it, were also broached. First up was Northern Cape production advisor Dawie Botha who said that the NWGA advisory services have been contacted by more training institutions such as Grootfontein, Bo-Karoo Opleiding, and Glen to assist more actively. His presentation also included feedback about farm audit participation and the process of identifying more wool farmers that will commit to farm audits as part of the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) which is a voluntary certification programme.
Mpumalanga production advisor Annelize Smit van Niekerk gave an introductory report on training and development which is based on the new NWGA portfolio. The aim of this new venture is the coordination of training which is relevant to the wool industry – which will involve the development and compilation of manuals and course material for use by production advisors.
Eastern Cape manager: Wool production, marketing and training, Willem Goosen, highlighted wool classing and demonstrations for better bale weights and more money in the farmer’s pocket, animal health, and information days held by the NWGA.
Below are some statistics of NWGA services, which include training programmes, for the past year:
- A total of 1 433 people attended animal health and information days.
- Breeding and selection: 68 events held with a total of 1 016 attendees.
- Shearer training: A total of 574 shearers were trained in blade and machine shearing.
- Shearing shed audits: There are currently 1 250 active sheds under the banner of the NWGA, and 46 audits were conducted between January 2025 to May 2025.
- Shearing shed management and account sales training: A total of 1 061 people attended.
A bag of mixed feelings: Expropriation and land reform
Keynote speaker, Annelize Crosby, the head of legal intelligence at the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz), enlightened the audience on facts surrounding land reform and the pressing issue of the Expropriation Act which prescribes the process that must be followed in any expropriation. Compensation is mandatory in terms of the Constitution, but this Act provides for the possibility of R nil compensation in certain circumstances when it may be deemed to be just and equitable.
“This legislation is a highly technical topic and because there is so much misleading information going around, it often scares people,” she said. “When the nuances of these Acts aren’t communicated correctly, it also causes fear and division amongst people. We must remember that the businesses and organisations within organised agriculture are keeping an eye on the legislation and will act to protect the rights of farmers and the agricultural value chain, if necessary.”
Presenting the story of wool
Deon Saayman, CEO of Cape Wools, looked critically at South Africa’s place in the world as a wool producer and exporter. Having attended the International Wool & Textile Organisation (IWTO) congress which was held last month (May) in Lille, France, he had drawn the conclusion that South Africa as a wool industry has not yet told its story to the world.
He said the following, “We need to latch on to what other countries are doing with regards to telling our story. A good starting point will be better collaboration with fashion brands and clear communication with the consumer who not only supports sustainability, but looks for products that will provide comfort, support fitness, and a whole lot of other things – and this is the kind of certification which the brands are looking for.” – Carin Venter, Plaas Media
For more information, contact the NWGA on 041 365 5030 or nwga@nwga.co.za, or CWSA on 041 484 4301 or capewool@capewools.co.za.
