A very successful inter-regional flock competition was held by the National Wool Growers’ Association of SA (NWGA) in Tarkastad last week. The enthusiasm and proud display of animals showcased the passion and commitment of communal farmers toward their development and progress.

The selected animals, chosen from regional flock levels, were indeed of the best quality that the communal areas of the Eastern Cape have to offer. A similar number of entries as in previous years were received, totaling 102, divided into 24 entries per ewe category and 30 in the ram category. According to judges Kleintjie Pienaar and Charl van der Merwe from BKB, these animals showed vast improvement compared to last year.

The results were as follows:

Ewe Lambs The lamb category was dominated by Mount Fletcher, who took 1st, 2nd, and 5th places. Sterkspruit took 3rd place, and NWGA national vice chairman, Mr. Zolani Tsheko’s lamb stood tall in 4th place.

  • Winner: Nkosana Kambi, Mount Fletcher (Reg. 24)
  • Runner up & 5th place: VMB Shearing Shed, Mount Fletcher (Reg. 24)
  • 3rd place: K Khayingana, Sterkspruit (Reg. 25)
  • 4th place: Zolani Tsheko, Ntabathemba (Reg. 23)

Two-tooth Ewes Sterkspruit proudly presented their two-tooth ewes and reaped the rewards for 1st, 2nd, and 4th places in this category. Lady Frere achieved 3rd place and Peddie 5th place.

  • Winner: V Hashtag, Sterkspruit (Reg. 25)
  • Runner up & 4th place: M Tshewula, Sterkspruit (Reg. 25)
  • 3rd place: M Manqola, Lady Frere (Reg. 23)
  • 5th place: V Maxhwane, Peddie (Reg. 21)

4-8-tooth Ewes The ewe category showcased animals in the 4-year age range, drawing 24 entries. The judges were impressed with the winning animals, predominantly from Mount Fletcher, which achieved 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th places, while Lady Frere took 3rd place.

  • Winner: T Tsoananyana, Mount Fletcher (Reg. 24)
  • Runner up & 4th place: Duba, Mount Fletcher (Reg. 24)
  • 3rd place: A Siwela, Lady Frere (Reg. 23)
  • 5th place: VMB Shearing Shed, Mount Fletcher (Reg. 24)

Rams The ram category, which had the most entries, displayed animals of good quality and conformity. The winning ram, as in previous years, came from Sterkspruit, with newcomer Bolotwa (Queenstown) taking 2nd, 3rd, and 5th places. Mount Fletcher secured 4th place in this category.

  • Winner: TS Lekhula, Sterkspruit (Reg. 25)
  • Runner up, 3rd, and 5th places: G Soga, Bolotwa, Queenstown (Reg. 23)
  • 4th place: Jukuda, Mount Fletcher (Reg. 24)

Congratulations to Mount Fletcher and Sterkspruit, who have consistently produced higher-quality animals and won numerous awards.

With the 2nd and 5th placements in the lamb category and another 5th place in the four-to-eight tooth ewes category, VMB Shearing Shed from Mount Fletcher was announced as the overall winner. Congratulations on the impressive quality of your animals.

The four-to-eight tooth ewe belonging to Mr. T Tsoananyana was selected as the sheep of the day, clearly demonstrating why she won the overall competition.