Helderstroom Alpacas just outside Villiersdorp will be one
of the venues where one can celebrate National Alpaca Day, this Saturday, 30
April 2016.
Alison Notley, chairperson of the South African Alpaca
Breeders’ Society (SAABS) and co-owner – along with her husband, Christopher,
will open their smallholding of historical note to those who are interested in
these strange creatures with their long necks, barrel-shaped bodies and bearers
of arguable the highest quality of fibre.
In this picturesque, hidden valley on the Koppies Road, about
10km north of Villiersdorp, towards Worcester, Alison and Christopher have been
breeding alpacas for the past 12 years. They started out with a shipment of
five pregnant (in cria) females from Chile back in 2004 and have since seen
their herd grow to its current size of 52.
Alpacas produce some of the finest fibre in the world,
highly sought-after for the production of garments that are both warm and cosy,
but also lightweight and low maintenance. Unlike sheep’s wool, alpaca fibre
contains zero lanolin, which means that minimal washing is required after
shearing. It’s also non-allergenic, water-resistant and fire retardant.
Furthermore, alpacas are the most colour diversified fibre-bearing
animal on the planet with up to 22 different natural shades.
Helderstoom Alpacas is well-known for the once-off, handmade
garments it produces. After shearing the fibre it is hand-spun on the farm into
workable yarn, which is then sent off to about 20 women throughout the Overberg,
who knit and crochet an exclusive range of garments: gloves, scarves, beanies
and shawls, but also jerseys, jumpers, dresses and skirts.
These items are sold in a little shop on the property, but
also available at various exclusive markets throughout the Western Cape as well
as at the Bryanston Organic Market in Johannesburg.
Since Alison and Christopher started out in 2004, it is not
only their own herd that has been growing steadily, but also the ‘national
herd’. The number of alpacas in the country currently stands at around 4 000
and can be found on farms throughout the country.
As part of an effort to introduce the general public to this
emerging agri-industry a successful National Alpaca Day was introduced last
year and the second annual Alpaca Day is set to take place across the country
on Saturday, 30 April 2016.
Festivities will differ from property to property, but
guests can expect to enjoy a variety of alpaca-centred activities – from
leading and feeding the animals, to hand-spinning lessons and felting craft for
kids.
In addition, Helderstroom as a farm has a history dating
back to 1697, when it served as a horse changing station for patrols of the
Dutch East India Company. Later, under British rule, the homestead was changed
into a hunting “box” for Lord Charles Somerset.
Visit the SAABS
website for more details.