WoolCycle at the Africa Textile Talks

Passionate farmers and industry experts produce one of South Africa’s most valuable exports: wool. Annually the extended wool community meets at the WoolCycle networking event to discuss achievements, challenges and opportunities. This year Cape Wools SA invited Twyg to host the WoolCycle 2025 during Africa Textile Talks.

The official representative of South Africa’s wool industry, Cape Wool SA, launched WoolCycle in 2023 to encourage the value chain – from farmers, and designers to retailers and processors – to collaborate and share ideas on how to raise awareness about the benefits of this natural fibre and to grow the industry further.

Deon Saayman has been CEO of Cape Wools SA since 2019

The first speaker, Deon Saayman, CEO at Cape Wools SA, shared that the company is developing a blockchain-based traceability system for farmers. South Africa is the largest supplier of sustainably certified wool in the world, but with regulations on sustainable fashion becoming increasingly strict, credible data to back up sustainability claims is becoming more crucial. Soon each bale of wool will carry a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that can be scanned and traced back to the farmer’s verified Global Location Number. This system will be crucial in helping farmers who are implementing truly sustainable practices on their farms gain and maintain access to the market.

Monica Ebert from international The Woolmark Company described the roadmap to nature positivity

In her keynote, Monica Ebert who leads business development and sustainability initiatives across the Americas for The Woolmark Company, explained why the international company has developed a roadmap to a nature positive industry by 2030, and how it plans to support full ecological recovery across the wool industry’s scope and supply chain by 2050.

With a wealth of sheep farming experience, Matthew van Lingen shared the advantages of farming with nature

Karoo wool farmer Matthew van Lingen shared his insights into regenerative farming, which he says most South African farmers have been doing instinctively for years – they just don’t call it regenerative farming. He likened regenerative farming to a three-legged potjie pot, with each leg representing the ecosystem, animal health, and people. “It’s not just about keeping your pot upright,” he said, “but improving its stability so it can withstand a hurricane.”

Matthew van Lingen, H&M South Africa’s director, Caroline Nelson and WWF South Africa’s Pavitray Pillay discussed regenerative farming practices in the Drakensberg grasslands

After his presentation, Matthew was joined by WWF South Africa’s Pavitray Pillay and H&M South Africa’s director Caroline Nelson for a discussion on sustainable farming and the shared responsibilities of brands, systems, and citizens. “All retailers have a responsibility,” Caroline said. “We use raw materials for most of our products.” In 2021, WWF South Africa and H&M South Africa launched a regenerative wool production project in the Drakensberg grasslands, aiming not only to safeguard the resources but also the ecosystem that produces them.

Pavitray encouraged citizens – her preferred term for people who consume – to be informed: read labels and ask the right questions. “Your voice and your wallet are your biggest superpowers,” she said.

Lezanne Viviers moderated a panel about wool and innovation. Her panellists were Roxanne Maddocks, Ronel Jordaan and Jana Vermaas

Continuing the celebration of wool, a panel explored the fibre’s inherent versatility and sustainability for design and innovation, moderated by Lezanne Viviers, creative director of VIVIERS Studio. She was joined by textile artist Ronel Jordaan, Roxanne Maddocks from African Expressions, and Jana Vermaas from the University of the Free State. From insulating homes to dressing wounds, the panel agreed that the only limitation of this fibre is one’s imagination. “The style can go out of fashion,” Roxanne said, “but the fibre won’t.”

Textile expert and fashion designer Leandi Mulder is the head of department at the Design Academy of Fashion in Woodstock, Cape Town

Leandi Mulder from the Design Academy of Fashion shared her journey from fashion student to designer and educator. As a young student, she learned little about fibres; her education focused mainly on aesthetics. Now, as head of department at DAF, Leandi guides students to understand where their fibres come from and to let that knowledge shape their designs. Students are taught to make their own yarns and textiles, not necessarily to become textile designers, but to understand choices they make as designers and potential impacts.

Lilitha Mahlati from the Ivili Group has an award-winning sheep and goat fibre processing plant based in Butterworth in the Eastern Cape

The final panel of the day was moderated by Tshepo Bhengu who facilitated WoolCycle stories from the processing, manufacturing and designing side of wool value chain. Gugu of GUGUBYGUGU reflected on her rewarding yet difficult commitment to the fibre. “Financially, it’s very expensive. We can make all these beautiful products, but there needs to be a consumer at the end,” she said. “Persistence will get us there. The reward later on will be higher than the struggles we’re facing today.”

Gerber & Co. founder Stefan Gerber also spoke of the power of persistence in changing the industry’s narrative and the importance of localisation. He gave the example of what might happen if the government declared that all school jerseys had to be, for instance, 30% wool. “It would transform the industry,” he said.

In closing, Deon announced the REDA Sheep-to-Shop four-month textile internship 2026. To apply see Cape Wools SA.

WoolCycle showcased the breadth of wool’s potential – how, beyond keeping us warm, wool can support ecosystems, create livelihoods and remind us of our connection to the earth beneath us.

Deon Saayman left, Weza Moss and Gugu Peteni share thoughts at the event