At the Daidoh Championship Mohair Awards ceremony this month, Mohair South Africa presented Denys Hobson with a special award to honour his contribution to the South African mohair industry. Arthur Short delivered a moving speech acknowledging Denys's relentless spirit, pioneering drive, and selfless dedication

It’s a true honour to stand before you tonight to recognise a remarkable individual whose unwavering dedication and vision have helped shape the South African mohair industry as we know it. Denys Hobson is an unsung hero whose contributions have left an indelible mark on our industry and the communities that rely on it.

Denys grew up in a family deeply immersed in the mohair world, so his love for Angora goats and mohair came naturally. While he pursued a career in accountancy rather than farming, Denys never lost his passion for the mohair industry or his regard for its future. Early on, he recognised a challenge faced by mohair producers - limited to one-channel marketing, they had little say in pricing and were unable to add value to their products. Denys, with his business acumen, saw a way to address this issue and went on to lead transformative change.

Driven to create new opportunities, Denys was instrumental in forming Cape Mohair Holdings, with support from the Mohair Board. This venture began small, producing socks and carpets, but it quickly grew, overcoming obstacles with Denys's relentless dedication. He later expanded into mohair blankets through a partnership with Stuart Holding Fabrics, eventually acquiring the company. Under his leadership, it became what many believe to be the largest mohair blanket factory in the world.

But Denys didn’t stop there. He took another visionary step by importing a scouring and top-making plant, which later expanded into spinning and dyeing facilities to support Cape Mohair Holdings’ sock and blanket production. This strategic move laid the foundation for what would become SAMIL, now a significant player in the mohair market - a lasting benefit for mohair producers.

In 1993, with the mind of a true innovator, Denys saw potential in creating mohair socks that would keep feet dry and fresh. As a cricketer spending long hours on the field, he knew firsthand the value of such a product. Taking mohair tops to Europe, Denys collaborated with German experts to develop a yarn perfect for sock production. He then teamed up with a local Cape Town company, SA Socks, for initial trials, and Cape Mohair Socks was born - endorsed by Jonty Rhodes. Eventually, Denys bought the factory, growing it into the business we know today. Cape Mohair employs 120 people, operates 170 knitting machines, and produces over 300,000 pairs of socks monthly - consuming approximately 11 tons of mohair blended yarn annually.

As we honour Denys, let us reflect on his relentless spirit, pioneering drive, and unselfish dedication. He sacrificed family time, putting his heritage and this industry first, to create a sustainable future for mohair producers. Through his influence, many farmers have weathered severe droughts and kept the tradition of Angora goat farming alive and thriving. His vision has impacted not only the economy of the Eastern Cape but also the livelihoods of countless small businesses in our communities.

We recognise Denys Hobson’s extraordinary contributions to the mohair industry with this Award of Dedication, an honour motivated by Arthur Short and proudly supported by Blake Hobson of Matyrsford.

Thank you, Denys, for your vision, your dedication, and the legacy you have built for generations to come.