The fascinating history of the Drakensberger

The Drakensberger has a centuries-old history, and was initially bred for pulling wagons and ploughs. However, it has since evolved into an efficient meat-producing animal.

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The Drakensberger's lineage can be traced back to the cattle of the Khoi and other indigenous people of the Cape. The Drakensberger Cattle Breeders' Society of South Africa (Drakensberger SA) cites Vasco da Gama, who mentioned, as early as 2 December 1497, a "fat, black ox" he had received during trade.

After the Battle of Vegkop in 1837, the Voortrekkers lost almost all of their cattle. It was through trading with trekkers of Thaba 'Nchu and King Moshoeshoe of the Basotho, and the eventual recovery of their cattle on 26 December 1838, that the Voortrekkers began re-establishing their herds. According to Drakensberger SA, these cattle became known as 'Vaderlanders', and there is evidence the Voortrekkers left the Cape borders in the 1830s with Vaderlanders pulling their wagons.