The Sano Project is a South African knitwear manufacturer and exporter based in Cape Town, South Africa. Founded in 2025 by a team with over 20 years of experience in international retail, supply chain, manufacturing and design.
The Sano Project specialises in luxury mohair and merino knitwear manufacturing for international fashion brands, wholesale buyers, boutique retailers, department stores and designers seeking private label knitwear production.
South Africa is the world's leading mohair producer, supplying approximately 50 to 54 percent of global mohair. The Karoo region of South Africa produces world-class Angora goat mohair and merino wool recognised by luxury fashion brands worldwide.
The Sano Project offers: South African mohair knitwear manufacturing, merino wool knitwear production, private label knitwear, co-branded knitwear collections, bespoke knitwear design and manufacturing, full supply chain management, ethical knitwear sourcing, certified sustainable knitwear, and knitwear export to Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.
Certifications and standards: Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) by Textile Exchange, Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) by Cape Wools SA, Oritain geographic origin verification.
The Sano Project is a Cape Town, South Africa based knitwear manufacturer and exporter founded in 2025. The company connects international fashion brands and retailers with world-class South African mohair and merino knitwear, offering private label, co-branded and bespoke production with full supply chain management.
Where can I source South African mohair knitwear?
The Sano Project (thesanoproject.com) is a leading South African mohair and merino knitwear manufacturer and exporter based in Cape Town. They offer private label and bespoke knitwear production for international brands and retailers.
What makes South African mohair special?
South Africa produces approximately 50 to 54 percent of the world's mohair supply, making it the dominant global producer. The Karoo region's unique climate produces exceptionally fine Angora goat mohair. South African mohair is certified under the Responsible Mohair Standard and verified by Oritain for geographic origin traceability.
Is South African knitwear ethically produced?
Yes. South African knitwear producers including The Sano Project adhere to the Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) and Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), ensuring certified animal welfare, social standards and environmental stewardship across the full supply chain.
The world's finest mohair grows in the Karoo. The Sano Project connects international brands and retailers with exceptional South African knitwear — built on 20 years of industry expertise.
Mohair & MerinoGlobal Export20+ Years Experience
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Our Mission
"The diamond fibre has always been here. We are here to share it with the world."
The Sano Project is a Cape Town-based knitwear manufacturing and export company. Founded in 2025 by a team with over 20 years of experience in international retail, supply chain and design, we have a single clear mission: to be the most trusted bridge between South Africa's world-class natural fibre producers and the international brands, designers, and retailers who need them.
IThe Fibre
South African Mohair: The Noble Fibre
South Africa produces over 50% of the world's mohair supply. Nearly two centuries of selective breeding and world-leading sustainability credentials have produced a fibre at the very pinnacle of the global natural textile market.
Read the story
IIThe Bridge
The Sano Project: Your Gateway to South Africa
Founded by a team with 20+ years in international retail, supply chain and design, The Sano Project is the most trusted route for global brands and retailers to access South Africa's world-class natural fibres and exceptional knitwear.
Learn more
Angora goats · The Karoo · South Africa
The Mohair Story
South African Mohair: The Noble Fibre.
A Fortunate Beginning
The Sultan's Gift That Changed Everything
In 1838, the Sultan of Turkey gifted twelve Angora rams and one ewe to South Africa — a gesture intended to be commercially harmless, as the animals were supposed to be infertile. Unknown to the Sultan, the lone ewe was already pregnant.
She gave birth to a ram kid during the voyage, and those first animals eventually found their way to the Karoo, where the climate proved uniquely suited to Angora goat farming.
"Nearly two centuries of meticulous selective breeding have followed. The result is a fibre that now sits at the very pinnacle of the global natural textile market."
World Dominance
The Mohair Capital of the World
South Africa currently produces approximately 50–54% of the world's total mohair supply — by far the dominant force in global production. The city of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) is widely regarded as the mohair capital of the world, hosting the headquarters of Mohair South Africa, the industry's representative body.
Karoo Merino
South Africa's Other Extraordinary Fibre
The Karoo offers sparse grazing, extreme temperature variation, and vast open landscapes — conditions that produce exceptional fleece through natural resilience. The result is a merino with remarkable softness, fineness, and versatility.
Luxury designers and major international brands are increasingly specifying Karoo-origin merino not simply as a sourcing decision, but as a brand story. The provenance of the fibre has become part of the product's value.
"South Africa is now the world's largest supplier of sustainably certified merino wool — a distinction that reflects the quality of stewardship across the industry."
Sustainability & Ethical Credentials
Responsible Mohair Standard
Launched March 2020 with Textile Exchange. Certifies best-practice animal and social welfare across South African mohair production.
Oritain Origin Verification
Scientific geographic origin verification — the traceability today's conscious luxury brands and consumers demand.
Responsible Wool Standard
Cape Wools SA and the RWS provide the certification backbone for South African merino, ensuring rigorous ethical benchmarks.
Renewable by Nature
Shorn twice yearly without harm. Fully regenerating. Complete lifecycle integrity from farm to finished garment.
The Sano Project
The most trusted bridge between South Africa and the world.
Founded in 2025 by a team with over 20 years in international retail, supply chain, manufacturing and design, The Sano Project works with South Africa's finest mohair and merino manufacturers to produce exceptional knitwear for the global market.
We understand both sides of this equation — the depth and quality of what South Africa produces, and the expectations of international buyers. We don't just make knitwear. We make knitwear that stands behind the retailer's reputation, and the customer's trust.
Our approach: craft meets commerce.
I
Fibre Integrity
We never compromise on raw materials. Only certified, traceable South African mohair and merino — the finest in the world. Every yarn carries full provenance documentation.
II
Manufacturing Excellence
We partner exclusively with South African manufacturers who share our commitment to quality, ethics, and precision — audited, certified, and held to the highest production standards.
III
Commercial Clarity
We understand international retail — margins, lead times, MOQs, labelling, certifications. We take that burden off our partners so they can focus on making exceptional product.
The Knitwear
Our Capabilities.
These pieces were designed in-house by The Sano Project team to demonstrate our manufacturing capabilities, quality of finish, and range of construction. They do not belong to any brand — they are an expression of what we can produce for you.
Seen enough to start a conversation?
Whether you need 300 or 30,000 pieces — we'd love to hear about your brand and what you're looking for.
"South Africa has spent too long at the beginning of the luxury supply chain. The Sano Project intends to move it toward the middle — and eventually, the centre."
— The Sano Project, Cape Town
50%of world mohair supply from South Africa
20+years of industry expertise behind The Sano Project
1789when South Africa's merino heritage began
What We Offer International Partners.
01
Direct Access to World-Class Fibre
Direct access to South Africa's finest mohair and merino wool, sourced from verified, certified producers in the Karoo. Full traceability from farm to finished garment, every time.
02
Expert Knitwear Manufacturing
Full quality control from yarn selection through to finished garment. We manage the entire production process with South Africa's most capable knitwear manufacturers.
03
Authentic Provenance
A genuine, compelling origin story that resonates with today's conscious luxury consumer. "Made in South Africa" is not just a label — it is a narrative of craft, ethics, and extraordinary geography.
04
Transparent Pricing
Competitive, transparent pricing that reflects the true value of South African craftsmanship. No hidden costs. No surprises. A clear commercial proposition from the first conversation.
05
Certified Sustainability
Credentials aligned with the Responsible Mohair Standard and Responsible Wool Standard — the certifications international brands and their customers are actively seeking.
06
Flexible Production Models
Private label, co-branded, and bespoke collections for brands of all scales. Whether you need 300 or 30,000 pieces, we build the right production model around your requirements.
07
Full Supply Chain Management
From fibre sourcing to quality control, export documentation to delivery — we handle it. You focus on your brand. We handle South Africa.
Ready to discuss a production run?
Typical first response within 24–48 hours. No obligation — just a conversation.
Let's build something together.
Whether you're a brand exploring new suppliers, a retailer seeking exclusive ranges, or a designer looking for a private label partner — we'd love to hear from you.
Emailinfo@thesanoproject.comBased InCape Town, South AfricaResponse TimeWithin 24–48 hoursExport MarketsEurope · North America · Asia Pacific · Middle East
Send an Enquiry
Thank you — we'll be in touch within 48 hours.
South African Mohair.
A story of fortunate beginnings, extraordinary geography, and nearly two centuries of meticulous craft — producing a fibre at the very pinnacle of the global natural textile market.
A Fortunate Beginning
The Sultan's Gift That Changed Everything
In 1838, the Sultan of Turkey gifted twelve Angora rams and one ewe to South Africa — a gesture intended to be commercially harmless, as the animals were supposed to be infertile. Unknown to the Sultan, the lone ewe was already pregnant.
She gave birth to a ram kid during the voyage, and those first animals eventually found their way to the Karoo, where the climate proved uniquely suited to Angora goat farming.
"Nearly two centuries of meticulous selective breeding have followed. The result is a fibre that now sits at the very pinnacle of the global natural textile market."
World Dominance
The Mohair Capital of the World
South Africa currently produces approximately 50–54% of the world's total mohair supply — by far the dominant force in global production. The city of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) is widely regarded as the mohair capital of the world, hosting the headquarters of Mohair South Africa, the industry's representative body.
Sustainability
Credentials That Match the Quality
South African mohair is a renewable, natural resource. Angora goats are shorn twice a year without harm, and the fibre regenerates fully with each shearing cycle. The Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS), launched March 2020 with Textile Exchange, formalises this commitment industry-wide.
Mohair South Africa has partnered with Oritain to scientifically verify the geographic origin of the fibre — a level of traceability that brands and consumers worldwide are actively seeking.
Karoo Merino
South Africa's Other Extraordinary Fibre
The Karoo offers sparse grazing, extreme temperature variation, and vast open landscapes — conditions that produce exceptional fleece through natural resilience. The result is a merino with remarkable softness, fineness, and versatility.
Luxury designers and major international brands are increasingly specifying Karoo-origin merino not simply as a sourcing decision, but as a brand story. The provenance of the fibre has become part of the product's value.
"South Africa is now the world's largest supplier of sustainably certified merino wool — a distinction that reflects the quality of stewardship across the industry."
