SWAKARA WEEK IN KEETMANSHOOP A SUCCESS
Published: 30 Sep 2013 

Swakara producers were treated with activities organized by the Swakara Board of Namibia in Keetmanshoop at the Swakara week. The Swakara week kicked off on Monday, 23 September 2013 with the AGM of the Swakara Breeders Society and was concluded with a Karakul (Swakara) Board meeting on Wednesday, 25 September 2013.

The activities drew together all stakeholders in the Swakara industry; including producers, Agra (the marketing agent) and representatives from Kopenhagen Fur to discuss developments in the industry. At the first Swakara Industry Forum (SIF) that took place on Tuesday, different speakers informed the producers on recent developments in the industry. One of the speakers, Jaco van Zyl, Agra ProVision’s Technical Advisor: Swakara Production Systems, presented a study on “The importance of the Swakara Industry and Opportunities for Growth.”

At the same event, Dagmar Honsbein, General Manager of Agra ProVision presented the “Possibilities and Opportunities for the Swakara Industry to grow.” “It is of utmost importance that we safeguard the interests of this unique industry. Therefore, we must walk together to protect the national heritage by registering Swakara (away from Karakul) as an indigenous breed and according to international taxonomy norms,” she said. Another important guest to the SIF was Dr. Erold Naomab, HOD: Chemistry and Biochemistry at Keetmanshoop UNAM. He maintained that the University will do everything in its ability to support the Swakara Industry.

The forum was also graced by the presence of Mr. Torben Nielsen, CEO of Kopenhagen Fur (the Swakara auction house) who assured the producers that there is a growing demand of pelts and hence the challenge is to produce more of the high quality furs. He advised that producers should concentrate on producing high quality furs as he said; “If you produce high quality furs, you don’t need to fear the future because high quality can survive weather less favourable market conditions.” He also applauded the good cooperation between the Swakara Industry and Kopenhagen Fur over the past 19 years.

Residents of Keetmanshoop and friends of Swakara witnessed the renaming of 5th Street to Swakara Avenue. The Swakara Avenue is an axis street of Keetmanshoop and the unveiling was done by Hon. Bernadus Swartbooi, Governor of //Karas Region.

Later in the evening, the annual gala dinner, Swakara fashion show and awards ceremony were hosted by the Karakul (Swakara) Board of Namibia. At the gala dinner the top ten awards for the best Swakara pelt producers of 2013 were rewarded. Nikola Conradie scooped the Swakara Young Designers competition of Namibia award, which includes a week-long trip to Copenhagen to witness one of the annual Swakara pelt auctions and an opportunity to study at the Kopenhagen fur designer’s school. The Golden Lamb Award was awarded to the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) and Kopenhagen Fur respectively. Mr. Torben Nielsen received the Golden Lamb Award on behalf of Kopenhagen Fur and Mr. Desmond Tshikesho, Undersecretary, on behalf of the MAWF. The Golden Lamb is awarded to outstanding institutions and/or personalities with the mutual interest of the Swakara industry at their heart. The award is presented annually since 1979. The prizes worth more than N$100,000 are sponsored by Agra Ltd.; Kopenhagen Fur; and the Karakul (Swakara) Board of Namibia.

On Wednesday morning, 25 September 2013, an elite Ram auction took place at the Canyon Hotel. Tienie de Witt from Zamenkomst Farm near Koës, paid the highest price of N$30 000 for a white ram at the auction. The highest price for a black Swakara ram of N$25 000, was paid by Lovedale Farming cc.

For more information on the Swakara week and on the Swakara industry, please contact Ms Jenny Körner, Swakara Industry Coordinator, at the House of Swakara on 0811299378.