Ermenegildo Zegna Awards

The prestigious Ermenegildo Zegna  Awards banquet was held at the Aberdeen Club last Thursday evening.

Months of planning and preparations came together, and the hall was transformed into an elegant and stylish venue. The décor reflected the Karoo, with simple but very effective table decorations, all coordinated by the talented and artistic Lana Olivier. A sumptuous meal, prepared by the expert catering team of David Millar, Colleen Ogilvie, and Toessie Slabbert, was enjoyed by all. The main course naturally featured local Karoo lamb, beautifully cooked so that it just fell off the bone.

Entertainment was provided by the very professional Glen Webster from PE, who performed many well-known classics.

The guest of honour for the evening was Alberto Candellero, the Market Head for South America and South Africa of Ermenegildo Zegna. Candellero, an Italian, is currently based in São Paulo, Brazil, and this was the first time he had visited the Karoo. Ermengildo Zegna is a world-renowned Italian company specializing in fine textiles and garments. The company is one of the largest users worldwide of finest quality South African kid mohair, and as such has sponsored the trophy, since 1970, to the farmer who produces the best  bale of summer kid mohair. Judging is based on a sample pulled from the submitted bale, and considers fineness, length, micron, clean yield and freeness from kemp.  South Africa is proud to be the only country to receive sponsorship from the company, thanks to the superior quality of the mohair produced here.

Deon Saayman, general manager of Mohair South Africa, was the MC for the evening. After the official welcome and prayer, starters were enjoyed, and then a short dvd about the sponsors was shown. Alberto Candellero then spoke, with a very creditable Afrikaans introduction which delighted all! He commented on the wonderfully scenic drive from PE, and the gracious hospitality he had experienced. He explained that the aim of the competition is to encourage growers to reach the best possible quality, and stressed the importance of attending to detail throughout the production process. He reiterated that the South African mohair is the best in the world – this remark was greeted with enthusiastic applause! He congratulated all ten finalists on the excellent quality of their product.

Deon Saayman then took over again to announce the winners, remarking how close the competition had been this year, with only 0.9% between the top three finalists. Proceedings were interrupted just after the tenth place was announced, when the power went off! Fortunately there were small candles on the table, so the hall was not in total darkness. Aberdeen’s senior administrator, Clive Kombani, who was a guest at the function, was immediately on the phone, and was most relieved to discover that is was an Eskom problem and not a municipality problem! The Jordaan family, owners of Tuin Kafee situated just across the road, came to the rescue, bringing across their generator and packs of candles and matches. This was a great example of one of the huge advantages of being in a small town where everyone is so willing to help out when there is a problem.

The programme was rearranged slightly and the main course was then served, before the awards ceremony was resumed with low lighting and generator-powered sound. Candellero later remarked how he enjoyed the romantic Italian-style candlelit dinner!

The winner of the award for 2011 was Piet Viljoen of the farm Kleinpoort, with a grand total of 92.17%. In second place was Paul Michau from Cradock, with Billy Colbourne and Sons in third place. The remaining seven finalists, in order from fourth to tenth, were Jan Lategan, Snyberg Boerdery, A B Hobson and Son CC, J L Retief & Seun, A C Fitzhenry and Son, B T Henderson, and Vleikuil Boerdery

 

Many congratulations were received by the Aberdeen hosts, and the function has certainly contributed to putting Aberdeen on the map. Chairman of the Farmers’ Association Dirk van Schalkwyk, the Aberdeen Club, and all who were involved, are to be congratulated on a memorable evening.

A guest examines a sample from the winning bale of mohair

 

Piet Viljoen and his wife Petru proudly show off the Ermenegildo Zegna trophy

 

The Karoo-themed table settings

 

Anlé Marais and Lindsay Humphreys of Mohair South Africa wearing mohair dresses from a range designed by students of Mode Gakuen University in Nagoya, Japan

 

The ten finalists with Alberto Candellero of Ermenegildo Zegna

Fltr Jan Lategan, Werner Ferreira, Blaire Henderson, Paul Michau, Sean Hobson, Piet Viljoen, Charles Fitzhenry, Alberto Candellero of Zegna, Frans Retief, Billy Colbourne, Louw Retief, Barries Snijman