“Please do not spoil, transform or improve them out of existence”
Indigenous Veld Goats
IVG aim to encourage interest and educate people on
the breeding & profitability of Indigenous Veld Goats
The Indigenous Veld Goat (IVG)
The Indigenous Veld Goat – Southern Africa’s Heritage Breed
The Veld Goat is indigenous to Southern Africa. It almost disappeared with the purifying of the Boer Goat, but thanks to dedicated breeders, this remarkable animal is making a strong comeback.
Shaped over centuries by natural selection, the Indigenous Veld Goat survived a long and dangerous migration through Africa. With no interference from man, its genetics have been perfected by the land itself – producing a hardy, adaptable, and functionally efficient animal.
Key characteristics of the IVG:
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Endurance & Agility: Antelope-like in build, with long legs for covering great distances with ease.
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Adaptable Diet: Can graze or browse on a wide variety of plants, shrubs, and grasses.
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High Fertility: Breeds from a young age, has a long breeding season, produces kids year-round, and boasts a long productive lifespan.
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Strong Mothers: Ewes are renowned for their mothering ability and fierce protection of their young.
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Natural Camouflage: Wide variety of colours and patterns make them harder for predators to spot.
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Self-Defence: Excellent herding instincts and sharp horns to deter or fight off predators.
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Tough Hooves: Hard, brown hooves with almost no claw overgrowth.
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Parasite Resistance: Highly tolerant to ticks and other parasites.
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Naturally Polled: Occasionally goats are born without horns.
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Quality Meat: Succulent, flavourful, and low in cholesterol.
The Indigenous Veld Goat is more than just a livestock breed – it’s a piece of our living heritage. Its strength lies in its purity. To keep it that way, breeders must select natural, unimproved, unchanged, functional animals – preserving the IVG exactly as nature designed it.
Quick identification Reference
Indigenous Veld Goat Eco Types
NGUNI TYPE (MBUZI’S)
They occur specifically in the higher rainfall area stretching from the Ciskei, Transkei, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Swaziland, Mpumalanga, Northern Province, Botswana, the Caprivi, and extreme northern, high rainfall area of Namibia.
BODY
Small Frame, Compact, Well Proportioned
LEG
Strong, Fine, Medium to long
COLOUR
Multi-coloured, uniform colours, pied, dappled, speckled. Tendency for Swiss Markings
HEAD & PROFILE
Concaved (Hollow) to flat
EARS
Small to medium, semi pendulous lateral (sidelong and outwards) slightly forward
HORNS
Upwards and outwards with many variations
CAPE LOB EARS
Dr P Lombaard and other officials of the Irene Animal Production Institute started a project to collect indigenous Xhosa goats of the Ciskei, when it became apparent that they were in danger of being completely eliminated by the development of the Boer Goat. With the help of Mr Jim Hundlebee a limited number of the goats were obtained from 1988 to 1991 and transferred to Loskop South Research Station. Only a handful of breeders in South Africa preserved some of these original multicoloured, lob eared goats
BODY
Large Frame, Robust, Well muscled
LEG
Strong, Medium to long
COLOUR
Multi-coloured, uniform colours, dappled marble & flowery patterns, even speckled.
HEAD & PROFILE
Flat to slightly convexed (Bulging) rather long and strong.
EARS
Lobed, Large and droopy
HORNS
Large upwards and outwards, inclined to be larger than the skull
CAPE SPECKLED
the region that the Koi (hottentots) settled. The migration route would be
the same as the Cape Lobear. However as pointed out by Barrow (1801),
presumably tribal custom and other factors through selection they became
a unique eco-type of their own differing slightly from the Cape Lobear in
phenotype.
The Speckled Goat has its origin in the dry Northern Cape, Karoo area, stretching from Sutherland to Upington. Barrow (1801) wrote that near the
Hartbees river in the Northern Cape he encountered some “Namaqua Hottentots (Khoisan) who possessed a herd of small handsome goats that were
spotted like the leopard.”
The Speckled Goat (previously known as Northern Cape Speckled Goat) went with pioneer farmers to Namibia, around World War 1 and the “Dorslandtrek” during the previous century. Here some Namibian farmers preserved them and kept them pure. Over time breeders in South Africa bought them from these farmers, and brought them back to various parts of South Africa.
BODY
Large frame, Well muscled
LEG
Strong, Medium to long, Colours are concentrated to almost solid
COLOUR
White body with red-brown or black sports. Concentrations of spots vary.
HEAD & PROFILE
Convexed to flat, rather long with slight dip in front of the eyes
EARS
Lobed, Large and droopy
HORNS
Upwards and outwards with tips curving in, more or less the same length as the skull
KUNENE TYPE KOAKOLAND
The Himba people live a semi-transhumance lifestyle, moving with their animals to where grazing is available.
BODY
Medium frame, Slender.
LEG
Finely boned, Lanky, Exellent walkers.
COLOUR
Multi-colours, uniform colours, two toned, pied, speckled and dappled.
HEAD & PROFILE
Flat to slightly convexed, Narrow face.
EARS
Lobed, Long and droopy. Usually more narrow than other eco-types.
HORNS
Slightly up and a little outwards, usually length of head and in line with profile. Base is closely spaced
Agriculture
Dr Laurie Hammond (1995) director of the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization, stated that 40% of the world’s 4000 domestic livestock breeds are in danger of becoming extinct. The worldwide trend for super breeds could be wiping out thousands of indigenous breeds with their unique abilities to perform in harsh environments. Hammond (op.cit.) continued: “Breeds of cattle, pigs and poultry, once the backbone of farming economics in many countries, were being replaced by a few super breeds which only performed in ideal conditions. Irreplaceable genetic resources are being lost. Many of these native breeds have maintained humans for more than 10 000 years.
Their loss is not just a matter of heritage. It’s very much about our future.”
Links
GRASSFED ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA
