Mohair bike has Indaba in a spin

PORT Elizabeth-born fashion knitwear designer Laduma Ngxokolo manned a knitting machine with a difference at the recent Design Indaba in Cape Town.

His machine was powered by a bicycle, which in turn was powered by the physical exertions of willing expo visitors.

Former Miss South Africa Cindy Nel-Roberts was one to put pedal to the metal at Mohair South Africa's stand and help knit a 122m-long scarf. The continuous mohair scarf was then cut into scarves and gloves for distribution to children's havens.

Eastern Cape residents will be able to take a spin on the Mohair bike at the ABSA Kirkwood Wildsfees in June, and the scarf created there will be donated to Kirkwood care centres and play schools.

South Africa produces approximately 50% of the world's mohair industry.

The fibre's rare and natural qualities have captivated the world's fashion industry elite, as well as interior designers, crafters, industrial fibre specialists and the tourism sector.