THE uniquely South African sound of the vuvuzela and an afternoon thunderstorm greeted delegates from all over the world to a summit in the Karoo yesterday.

More than 100 international visitors and 200 from the Eastern Cape and other parts of South Africa were in Graaff-Reinet for the two-day International Mohair Summit which began yesterday.

The town of Jansenville is also deeply involved in the event.

The vuvuzela was sounded by Eastern Cape agriculture director-general Amon Nyondo as the conference on the mohair industry began in the morning.

Later, a thunderstorm and rain briefly grabbed the delegates’ attention. “It’s a great sign for the success of the summit – but we need lots more rain,” award- winning Angora goat breeder Elna van den Berg said.

She has started a sideline business producing and selling Angora goat meat products. Her company is called Gourmet Goats.

Van den Berg, who farms near Jansenville, was among more than 30 exhibitors promoting items ranging from high fashion clothing to socks, all made from mohair.

Japanese delegate Aki Ogura, president of an importer based in Kasugai City, said the Karoo summit was proving valuable. “There used to be mohair conferences in centres like Milan, Paris and London, but these have not taken place for some years.

“Holding this one in the mohair capital of the world provides a great opportunity for all sectors of the industry from all over the world to meet and discuss new ideas,” Ogura said.

At the same time as the industry conference, a national design education forum, hosted by Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, was held.

Meanwhile, the Angora goats – from which mohair is sourced – were having their own show and competition.

And the noise from their pens added to the atmosphere at the summit’s “tent town” venue in the grounds of Union High School.

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