Vergelegen’s Nguni nursery welcomes a new generation

There’s been a baby boom at Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West, with 137 Nguni calves born this season – and another eight still due. The estate’s Nguni herd now numbers over 450 animals. Among the new arrivals are both pure Nguni youngsters and Nguni/Angus crosses, with the latter already showing the impressive size difference that comes from their Angus heritage.

Nguni-Angus cross-breeding is a recognised livestock improvement strategy, as it combines a Nguni cow’s hardiness and adaptability with Angus growth and size. Vergelegen introduced Angus cattle in 2024. For staff and visitors, the calves’ annual arrival brings a sense of pride and renewal.

Herd management and new arrivals

Each birth is a reminder of the care that goes into managing the herd, under the watchful eye of stockman Sivuyile Mthiya, while visitors delight in seeing the young animals exploring their surroundings. Eben Olderwagen, environmental manager at Vergelegen, says management introduced Nguni cattle in 2001, purchasing original stock from the Eastern Cape and a local stud in the Malmesbury district.

The Vergelegen Nguni Stud was registered nine years later, in August 2010. By the following month, the herd comprised three stud bulls, 35 calves and 132 grown heifers. Nguni stock are favoured for their multicoloured hides and as a hardy breed for optimal beef production under harsh African conditions. They are both grazers and browsers, require little maintenance and calve easily.

Visitors and breeding focus

The breeding focus at Vergelegen is on colour and temperament. Visitors often spot the Nguni as they drive into the 326-year-old estate, and they are frequently viewed during the popular guided Fauna and Flora Eco Tour in a game drive vehicle.