Chronicle Editor
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
IN the warm embrace of August 2000, Vincent Mhanga and his beloved Stembinkosi embarked on a sacred journey, united in holy matrimony. Their wedding day, a joyous celebration of love, became the foundation for a story that would resonate far beyond the confines of their hearts.
As they exchanged vows and pledges of everlasting commitment, Vincent and Stembinkosi received not only the blessings of friends and family but a shower of cash and a treasure trove of wedding presents. Most couples would seize this opportunity to invest in homes, vehicles, or other material assets. Vincent and Stembinkosi, however, chose a path less travelled and decided to invest in life itself, in the living, breathing heartbeats of cattle.
The financial windfall they received, shrouded in modesty without disclosing its grandeur, enabled them to take a bold step into the world of cattle breeding. With unwavering determination, they acquired a modest herd of 20 cattle, the seeds of their future dreams. Fast forward to today, this remarkable couple, graced with the blessings of five children, has become synonymous with cattle breeding, not only within the enchanting confines of Somabula in Gweru but across the breadth of Zimbabwe.
Their story is one of metamorphosis, where the mere sight of a cow is an invitation to embark on a journey of prosperity, a voyage measured in thousands of dollars. While ranching in Zimbabwe has traditionally been the domain of commercial white farmers, Vincent and Stembinkosi have etched their names in the annals of agricultural history. The iconic breed, known as Ngubra, is their creation, a breed that marries the heritage of the pure Nguni and the wisdom of the Brahman.
Nguni cattle, considered a subspecies of the African Sanga cattle, are deeply intertwined with the livestock culture of the Bantu people of Africa. Shaped by the African environment over thousands of years, these cattle epitomise resilience and adaptation. On the other hand, the Brahman breed brings its intelligence, curiosity, and remarkable adaptability to the mix. Medium-sized with lean meat characteristics, it’s a breed that offers great hybrid potential when cross-bred.
At their sanctuary, Makate Ranch, located just 50 kilometres from Gweru in the Somabula area, Vincent and Stembinkosi have breathed life into the Ngubra breed. This unique lineage carries the genetic traits of both Nguni and Brahman, creating a robust and self-reliant breed capable of withstanding up to four months without the need for water and resilient against bovine diseases.
The brilliant minds behind this distinctive breed are none other than Vincent and his wife, Stembinkosi. Their story is testament to the transformative power of love, dedication, and the extraordinary world of cattle breeding they’ve cultivated.
“We had a beautiful white wedding in 2000 and what a day it was. I still can’t believe that I married this beautiful woman and we also had beautiful wedding presents. We also got money and my wife and I agreed to invest the money in cattle. So we bought our first 20 cattle, a decision that we will forever be grateful for,” said the father of five.
He said over the years he managed to start breeding cattle — a development he said has seen him becoming a successful farmer.
“My father bought this ranch in 1993 and in 2004 he made 800 hectares available to me and I started small until I had 550 head of cattle,” he said.
Vincent stated that he has a passion for good, high-quality cattle and has been looking for breeds to produce better cattle in South Africa and Zambia. The breeder, who employs roughly 20 individuals, many of whom have families of their own, said his goal is to help the community as a whole. He also has other breeds, such as the Simbra, a mix between Simmental and Brahmin.
“I also have the Stud, Red and Gray races. This is just to show the world that we can do it as blacks. Anything is possible in the country. You just have to be determined and surrender to what you believe in and at the end of the day this land will thrive if we all work on our properties,” he said.
He urged farmers to take care of the land by setting up fire stations to protect their property from field fires.
Online Reporter