Ramaphosa’s R6.4 Million Cow: President’s Ankole Heifer Sets Stunning South African Record

A pregnant Ankole heifer owned by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cattle breeding company has reportedly become the most expensive cow of any breed ever sold at auction in South Africa after fetching R6.4 million.

Queen Arusha, a stud female from the Ntaba Nyoni Ankole herd, was sold to an anonymous buyer during an auction held at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm near Bela-Bela in Limpopo on Saturday, 3 October.

The record price highlights the growing value attached to elite genetics within South Africa’s specialist cattle-breeding market.

A Valuable Female With Elite Genetics

Queen Arusha was born in 2023 and was already pregnant with her first calf when she went under the hammer.

As a stud animal, her value extends well beyond the immediate sale. Her genetics can be used to produce future calves and potentially multiplied through artificial insemination and embryo-transfer programmes.

The combination of her pedigree, breeding potential and pregnancy helped make the heifer one of the most valuable female cattle to be offered at a South African auction.

Her Family Tree Adds to Her Value

Queen Arusha comes from a highly regarded Ankole bloodline and is the full sister of Optimus Prime, an Ankole bull known for its impressive horns measuring approximately 68 inches.

The importance of that bloodline was also reflected during Saturday’s auction, when Ntaba Nyoni Ankole reportedly purchased two vials of Optimus Prime’s semen for R250,000 each.

The transactions demonstrate the premium that breeders are willing to pay for genetics regarded as capable of improving future generations of livestock.

Ankole Cattle Remain Relatively Rare

The record sale also comes in a relatively small South African market.

Figures from the Ankole Cattle Breeders’ Society for 2025 put the number of registered Ankole cattle at about 1,792, including approximately 1,198 Fullblood animals.

That limited population, combined with demand for superior breeding lines, can significantly increase the value of individual animals with exceptional pedigrees.

Why Breeders Prize the Ankole Breed

Ankole cattle are instantly recognisable for their distinctive, exceptionally long horns, but their appeal goes beyond appearance.

The African breed is known for its hardiness and ability to survive in challenging environments while making relatively limited demands on food and water resources.

The cattle are also valued for lean meat, rich milk and quality leather, while their horns contribute to their distinctive appeal and commercial value.

Ankole cattle are considered capable of living for as long as 30 years under suitable conditions.

Ramaphosa’s Long-Standing Passion for Ankole

Ramaphosa’s interest in Ankole cattle dates back more than two decades.

In 2004, he acquired 43 Ankole cattle from Uganda. Because of restrictions surrounding the movement of livestock into South Africa, the animals were introduced through artificial insemination, with embryos implanted into surrogate cows.

His fascination with the breed later featured prominently in his 2017 coffee-table book, Cattle of the Ages.

Ramaphosa described being captivated by the animals’ distinctive horns and appearance, recalling how quickly he became fascinated with the breed.

Previous High-Value Ramaphosa Cattle Sales

The R6.4 million sale is not the first time one of Ramaphosa’s Ankole animals has commanded a multimillion-rand price.

In 2022, his Ankole heifer Fafa sold for R2.1 million at auction to businessman Patrice Motsepe, who is also Ramaphosa’s brother-in-law.

Another pregnant heifer, Khethiwe, fetched R1.8 million at auction in 2024.

Queen Arusha’s latest price, however, represents a dramatic increase on those previous sales and establishes a new benchmark for female cattle in the South African market.

Ntaba Nyoni’s Elite Herd

Queen Arusha was sold through Ntaba Nyoni Ankole, the cattle breeding operation owned by Ramaphosa and based at his Phala Phala property.

The president is understood to have a large collection of elite cattle, with his livestock interests extending beyond Ankole to breeds including Bonsmara, Boran, Nguni and Wagyu.

Reports indicate that his overall herd numbers more than 750 elite cattle, underscoring the scale of his involvement in South Africa’s specialist cattle-breeding industry.

A Record That Puts Ankole Genetics in the Spotlight

The sale of Queen Arusha has placed renewed attention on the value of African cattle genetics and the increasingly lucrative market for elite breeding animals.

While R6.4 million is an extraordinary figure for a single cow, breeders in specialist markets are often paying for the genetic potential of future generations rather than simply the animal itself.

Queen Arusha’s record-setting sale therefore represents not only a remarkable auction result for Ramaphosa’s Ntaba Nyoni operation, but also a significant moment for South Africa’s Ankole breeding industry.