The national, and also international, Brahman cattle communities are in mourning following the recent passing of the legendary South African breeder Tony “Bones” Braithwaite due to ill health.
By Lloyd Phillips, Senior Journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
Over the course of his 41 years of working and breeding with Brahman beef cattle in KwaZulu-Natal’s Winterton/Bergville district, Tony “Bones” Braithwaite helped develop and bring the South African Brahman to national and international attention.
Braithwaite (75) was born in KwaZulu-Natal’s town of Ladysmith on 17 July 1950. His parents, Reginald and Jean, also originally farmed in the Winterton/Bergville district. He earned his lighthearted yet enduring nickname, Bones, during his youth because of his famously skinny legs at the time.
After matriculating from the then Pietermaritzburg Technical College in 1968, Braithwaite completed his mandatory national service in the South African navy before studying at KwaZulu-Natal’s Cedara College of Agriculture. After graduating in 1972 and first celebrating this achievement by touring Europe with friends, Braithwaite began farming crops and livestock with Reginald. At the same time, he learnt how to manage the family’s butchery business.
He eventually bought a neighbouring property to start farming independently. It was here that he established what was to become the hugely respected and influential Damview Brahmans stud and commercial herds.
“Damview has achieved numerous accolades over the years, first under Bones’ management and then in partnership with [one of his sons], Ting,” says Brandon Leer, the well-known livestock auctioneer and Braithwaite’s longtime friend.
Leer oversaw the proceedings at the memorial service for Braithwaite that was held on Friday, 7 November at Linwood farm, the home of Damview Brahmans.
Braithwaite was a pioneering member of the KwaZulu-Natal Brahman Club and also competed in the Royal Agricultural Show in Pietermaritzburg almost every year since 1984, where his cattle were judged.
Many of his friends and colleagues in the Brahman and wider beef cattle industry, including this journalist, fondly remember how Braithwaite enjoyed presiding over the famous after-hours socialising at the Brahman Club’s stand at the Royal Show. He prided himself on making sure that members and guests were never without a glass of liquid refreshment in their hand.
‘He put the breed before himself’
Wayne Muller, general manager of the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) that hosts the Royal Show, says Braithwaite gave much of his time to being part of the show, and to competing against and engaging with fellow breeders and exhibitors.
“I remember sitting with him in my early years and watching the Brahman cattle, his included, entering the judging ring. Later that day we would discuss at length all the cattle that had competed and that featured on the awards sheets.
“As younger members of the RAS, we learnt so much from what he shared with us.”
In its moving tribute to Braithwaite, the KwaZulu-Natal Brahman Club said that although others considered him to be incredibly influential in the Brahman world, Braithwaite preferred to promote the breed rather than himself.
This promotion included him hosting many training and information days at Damview Brahmans. He was known for loaning his bulls to other beef farmers who needed them for one or other reason, and also for allowing agricultural students to borrow his animals for the cattle handling competitions at the Royal Show.
“No matter how many champions he produced or trophies he won, his humility stood out. His work and presence shaped our club and breed,” the club’s tribute added.
For his contributions, in 2023 Braithwaite was awarded honorary lifetime membership of the Brahman South Africa Society.
He leaves behind his wife, Sheena, their children Angus, Pippa and Ting and their spouses, and nine grandchildren.
Ting ultimately took over the full management of Damview Brahmans and is the current president of the Brahman South Africa Society.
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