New book shines a light on Southern Africa’s Sanga/Nguni cattle

Ed Schroeder’s new book, The Return of the Indigenous Sanga/Nguni of Southern Africa, is a call to action to protect the future of the breed in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.“No cattle breed is more suited to adapting to the effects of climate change than the original Nguni ecotypes, which is why it is imperative to preserve these genes,” he says.“I am appealing to the government, farmers, Nguni owners and breeders, communal farmers, the agricultural sector, and those involved in the food and beef industry, to be aware of the consequences should these genes be lost.“The purpose of my book therefore is to bring to the attention of all concerned the importance of preserving this special heritage.”Schroeder’s passion for the Nguni was something he inherited from his father, Bert, who firmly believed that Nguni cattle are one of nature’s great triumphs.“He researched the colour patterns of the Nguni cattle, and Dr Marguerite Poland included his research in the publication of her book, The Abundant Herds, and her doctorate titled Uchibidolo: The Abundant Herds,” said Schroeder, who lives in Hilton.“The book was beautifully illustrated by Leigh Voight.“Through this book I aim to continue the legacy left by my father and Marguerite.”The Return of the Indigenous Sanga/Nguni of Southern Africa is both a fascinating read and a wonderful coffee table book bursting with beautiful images of Nguni bulls, cows and calves in the distinct colour patterns they are known for.Every Nguni animal is unique; no two looks alike.ALSO READ | Vusi Mahlasela to present a special concert in Durban

Part of the book is devoted to the history of the breed. It’s believed that Sanga type cattle, which are considered indigenous to the continent, came down into southern Africa from Central Africa, from what is now Ethiopia and Somalia.The Sanga include several local strains, such as the Nguni, Pedi, Ovambo and Afrikaner.The Nguni strain came with the Nguni tribes who settled in an area between the Pongolo and Thukela Rivers in the north and south and the Mzinyathi in the west and the Indian Ocean in the east.They got even further south with the Xhosa, going as far as the Kei River in the Eastern Cape.Breeding of indigenous cattle in South Africa was discouraged by the authorities, causing a decline which threatened the breed with extinction.In his book, Schroeder writes that, before 1850 there were an estimated four to five million Nguni cattle in what is now KwaZulu-Natal.By the end of the Anglo-Boer War, in 1879, only about 100 000 pure Ngunis remained.Fortunately, almost 60 years later, a small herd of Nguni was purchased in Maputaland and transferred to the Veterinary Research Institute at Onderstepoort.Today it is estimated that around six million Nguni cattle are currently in SA.ALSO READ | UKZN artist uses clay to probe humanity’s need for belief

Schroeder believes that government needs to give greater importance to the Nguni breed and to those who have chosen to farm with them.“Indigenous breeds need government support but it [the government] must appreciate their value before it can effectively provide support,” Schroeder said.“This would bridge the gap between commercial and emerging farmers.“To produce a commercially relevant beast, we don’t need growth hormones, crossbreeding and grain feeding. It can be done within the Nguni breed by selection.”Cattle farmers who have chosen the Nguni describe them as one of South Africa’s most resilient and productive indigenous breeds, valued for their adaptability and contribution to beef production in rural and commercial systems.Their hardiness, low maintenance requirements, and ability to thrive under extensive conditions make them an important part of livestock production, especially in areas prone to drought and disease challenges.The cattle are also considered an important element in regenerative farming.Dr Peter Ardington, vet and grass expert, in his foreword to the book, says: “Breeders of cattle are the custodians of a beneficial three-way partnership of soil, plants and animals.“Nguni and Sanga value lies in using well adapted cattle to regenerate degraded veld and maintain and improve veld in fair condition.ALSO READ | Life is short, so get out there and enjoy it

“For centuries, Sanga/Nguni cattle have adapted to southern African grasslands, their parasites and diseases. But all is not well.“Ed and others are concerned about a drop in numbers of pure Sanga/Nguni and the ingress of foreign genes which pose the threat of diluting the finest qualities they have.”Schroeder told The Witness that he has, in recent years been thinking more and more about regenerative agriculture and the role that the Nguni play in regenerating the soil, the environment and biodiversity.“The Nguni has everything a breed needs for conservation purposes, but they have been neglected and vilified,” he added.“ They were regarded for a long time as scrub cattle. People are only now coming to value indigenous cattle. Indigenous cattle are better because they are able to cope with the environment in South Africa“The Nguni cattle breed is the answer to soil regeneration and to providing beef cattle.”The Return of the Indigenous Sanga/Nguni of Southern Africa also takes readers on the journey that 80-year-old Schroeder embarked on before he wrote the book.His travels took him to Namibia, where he learned how farmers are turning to the hardy Sanga/Nguni breed as climate change and water scarcity impact the country’s agricultural sector.ALSO READ | Queen Nandi’s legacy to be honoured

He also spent time in Zimbabwe, home to the Nkone/Nguni, and in Botswana where Dirk Luus has set up a herd of Makhathini Nguni.In these chapters, he allows the farmers to share their stories, challenges and thoughts on the future. It provides a wonderful insight into why people are so passionate about farming with indigenous cattle.Another important section is devoted to Mnumzane project in Ashburton, which Schroeder has been a part of for the past few years.It was started in 2024 when Colin van Heerden bought a farm in the Mpushini Valley and a Makhathini bull from Michele Schmitt, of Vemvane Ngunis, who was named Mnumzane.Prior to this, he and his wife lived in Pietermaritzburg where they had both a traditional English garden, and an indigenous one.“Whilst my wife’s garden was intensely maintained, weeded and pruned, mine was left to fend for itself,” van Heerden says.“Trees that fell were left to rot. All we need was remove the aliens and plant the odd addition that was endemic for the area.“Keeping the grass down was a problem. The sight and sound of brush cutters was a dreadful annoyance.Brian and Bronwyn Magor were good friends of ours. Brian had a Nguni stud near Boston. One Christmas Day after a long lunch, we negotiated the replacement of the brush cutters with a few Ngunis. The ambitious plan was to sell a few animals each year, rather than spend money on gardeners and brus cutters.“A bull and a couple of cows duly arrived. They achieved their primary goal but not their financial objectives.”ALSO READ | WATCH | Award-winning director backs Midlands as KZN’s film hub

A year or two later his friend, Pete Chistodoulou, proposed that they buy the Garlington Nguni herd, a project which ended when a new chairman of the Garlington Home-Owners’ Association cancelled their grazing.Six months later he and his wife bought the farm, Saxon Murray, near Ashburton, where they had 70 animals and the help of Bonginkosi ‘Zangi’ Mbeje, who was born and raised on the property.In 2024 Van Heerden bought another 700ha of land, which was infested with invading alien Lantana Camara bushes and Acacia nilotica thickets.Having met Schroeder during his ownership of the Garlington herd, he got him involved in the project. Matthew Tatham also joined the team as the project manager and David Johnson as the tree, plant and bird expert.In the book they share the challenges they have faced in converting tracts of land from bush to grazing; and the deadly effects of ticks and poisonous plants on the animals.As for the future, they want to source the best Nguni genetics; breed thrifty animals that calve every year and need little intervention; and to ethically harvest from the herd.Schroeder also shares a moving tribute to Nguni breeder Clive Biggs, who had been helping the team source animals. He was tragically killed in a lightning strike in March 2024.The Return of the Indigenous Sanga/Nguni of Southern Africa is a beautiful looking book, thanks to its layout and the beautiful images of Nguni cattle that a featured in it.Schroeder can be truly proud of this new work, which is a perfect partner for his previous book, The Nguni of the Makhathini Flats.

Ed Schroeder will be hosting a private launch for his new book, the publication of which was sponsored by Dirt Road Outfitters, at Barnside Lodge in Ashburton at 12pm for 12.30pm on October 30.Books can be purchased from the Dirt Road Outfitters store in Mkondeni and online at www.dirtroad.co.za. Alternatively, you can email Ed Schroeder at [email protected].