In Tswinga village in the Vhembe District of Limpopo lives a man whose passion for goats runs deeper than the roots of the ancient baobab trees that dot the landscape. Vhutolo Khangale of Rumanne Genetics has become a beacon of hope for indigenous livestock farming, proving that sometimes the old ways are indeed the best ways.
By Maile Matsimela, Digital Editor at African Farming
Vhutolo’s love affair with goats didn’t begin yesterday. Long before he knew anything about genetics or breeding programmes, he learnt the ropes by caring for his father’s goats. “I started around 2013, but [before 2013 I took] care of my father’s goats. That’s where I gained extensive experience of looking after the goats,” he recalls.
Back then, farming was simple, or so he thought. He kept what the industry calls “terminal breeds” and would buy goats from anyone who was selling. There was no plan, no vision, just the basic need to keep livestock. But sometimes, life has a way of steering people towards their true calling.
The Facebook Post that Changed Everything
One day, Vhutolo posted on Facebook that he was selling some of his goats. Little did he know that this simple post would completely transform his farming journey. Emmanuel Mudau from Mathuba Genetics spotted the post and came as a customer, but what started as a buying visit soon turned into something much bigger.
Watch: Interview with Emmanuel Mudau of Mathuba Genetics
“He advised me about blanket selling and told me to select pure Nguni breeds from what I have,” Vhutolo remembers. “I was a bit disappointed with his advice because I was in need of money at the time.”
The advice stung because Vhutolo needed cash, and here was someone telling him to be more selective. But after deep thought, he decided to put aside his immediate financial needs and follow Mudau’s advice. It was a decision that would prove to be life-changing.
The Painful Reset
By 2018, challenges mounted. Thieves were stealing from his herd and the heartbreak was too much to bear. In a difficult decision, Vhutolo sold his entire herd – all 82 goats – to farmers in Mokopane. “It wasn’t from the bottom of my heart to sell, as it’s hard for me to live without goats,” he admits, the pain still evident in his voice.
The Comeback Story
In 2019, his deep love for goats led him to approach the local chief for assistance with a portion of land, as he didn’t have the money to buy a farm to ensure his animals’ safety. “I didn’t care much about the size… I just needed a small portion,” he says. The chief responded, giving him the space he needed to restart his dream.
Also read: Why indigenous goats thrive
This time, he did things differently. He bought just six goats – four ewes and two rams, a starter pack of pure Ngunis from a reputable breeder in Tzaneen. Quality over quantity had become his new motto, and it would guide everything he did from that point onwards.
Innovation Born from Indigenous Wisdom
Walk around Vhutolo’s communal farm today and you’ll notice something unique: his goats live on raised structures. This isn’t just for show, it’s practical innovation rooted in understanding his animals. The raised platforms eliminate ticks and protect the goats from wet kraals, because as any good farmer knows, goats hate wet conditions.
“We have been doing well since then, and we haven’t experienced any problems … a very low mortality rate,” he says proudly. His approach is refreshingly simple: raise them as they are, indigenous and natural. No routine deworming, no regular blocking, only medical intervention when absolutely necessary. “Most of them here have never had injections.”
Also read: Dr Dolce Motsepe’s Boer goats breeding success: Pure blood, top quality
The Magic of Pure Genetics
During a recent visit, one of Vhutolo’s does, born in August the previous year, kidded for the first time right in front of visitors. His face lit up like a child on Christmas morning. This is the magic that keeps him going.
“Ngunis are great mothers to their young ones, and they are very much disease resistant,” he explains, pointing to a ram nearby. “You see that one? It suffered heart-water when it was a month and two weeks old and spent about six days lying down. On day seven, it was up and healed. It survived for almost a week without eating or milking… It showed us that it’s a strong ram.”
These stories aren’t just anecdotes, they’re proof of the superior genetics he’s working to preserve.
Recognition and Success
The proof of Vhutolo’s success came in 2022 at the first Limpopo indigenous goats farmers’ auction in Polokwane. His herd sold for the highest prices at the auction, validating his quality-over-quantity approach – an achievement that nearly brought him to tears.
His trusted ram, Nemashango, the one he started with in 2019, is still leading the breeding programme. Last year, he sold 30 ewes to farmers in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, spreading his pure genetics across the country.
Fighting Against the Tide
Success hasn’t come without challenges. Vhutolo says many people in Venda have rejected Nguni goats, even giving them the dismissive nickname bokwembe, which is Venda for something disgusting. As a young farmer focusing on Ngunis, Vhutolo often receives unsolicited advice to get Boer goat rams to “improve” his herd.
Also read: Joint indigenous veld goat incubation project gains momentum
“But what they don’t know is that my mission is to preserve this ecotype – these Nguni genetics,” he says. “Farming in Nguni goats [at my age surprises] many people, but I know what I’m doing.”
The Philosophy that Drives Success
Because of the premium nature of pure blood genetics, Vhutolo doesn’t sell to just anyone looking for meat. He only sells to farmers who will continue the breeding legacy. His ewes are typically bred between six and eight months, and despite farming on communal land, he ensures his genetics remain pure by preventing mixing with other farmers’ goats.
“These goats don’t disappoint… What matters here is actually not the number but the quality. That’s what I always tell people,” he emphasises. “Numbers don’t matter much, but quality does.”
A Message for the Future
Vhutolo’s advice to aspiring farmers is simple but powerful: consider Nguni goats. “You can take them to auctions and get reasonable money.” But more than that, you become part of preserving South Africa’s indigenous heritage.
Today, as Vhutolo tends to his pure Nguni genetics in Tswinga village, he’s not just farming, he’s also preserving a piece of South African heritage for future generations. His journey from someone who “just bought goats from anyone selling” to a champion of pure genetics shows that with passion, patience and the right guidance, anyone can transform their dreams into reality.
In a world obsessed with quick fixes and short cuts, Vhutolo is a reminder that sometimes the best path forward is to honour the wisdom of the past while building for the future. His goats aren’t just livestock, they’re proof that quality will always triumph over quantity.
Also read and watch:
Boer goat WhatsApp group grows into auction ring
Haraldo Smith talks about Boer goat breeding
The ideal meat goat: A guide for farmers
