R6.4 million Ankole auction: Cyril Ramaphosa’s ‘cattle collection’

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s company Ntaba Nyoni Ankole broke records with the sale of a pregnant Ankole cow named Queen Arusha for a whopping R6.4 million. What other cattle does the President own?

PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA’S COMPANY BREAKS RECORD

Queen Arusha was auctioned off for R6.4 million becoming the most expensive cow, across all breeds in South Africa. The cow was sold by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cattle breeding company called Ntaba Nyoni Ankole.

Queen Arusha was born in 2023 and is carrying a calf. An anonymous buyer won the auction, which took place at his Phala Phala farm, which is near Bela-Bela, Limpopo.

The sough-after Ankole is the sister of Optimus Prime, the biggest Ankole bull in South Africa. Optimus Prime’s horns span a massive 173cm long, also owned by Ramaphosa. Ntaba Nyoni Ankole also bought two vials of Optimus Prime’s semen for R250 000 each.

THE PRESIDENT’S CATTLE COLLECTION

Ramaphosa is believed to own more than 100 of the unique Ankole breed cattle. This cattle is indigenous to African countries such as Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and parts of Tanzania. The President reportedly bought the cattle because he was captivated by their majestic appearance, exceptional hardiness. He had a personal fascination with the breed after visiting Uganda in 2004 and seeing the herd of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

The Ntaba Nyoni cattle farm was founded in 2004. At the time, he bought 40 Ankole cows and three bulls from Museveni. In addition to the Ankoles, his livestock reportedly include Boran and Bonsmara cattle studs, game farming and feedlot. The exact number of head counts change due to breeding, sales and auctions. Therefore, it is difficult to pin point exactly how much of cattle the President owns.