Farm Animals
The Kwazulu Natal’s Coat of Arms motto is: Masisukume sakhe (let us rise and build) – This is indeed what the present owners, Amo and Claire Jordaan, have done since purchasing the various farms in the early 1990’s.
There are also Damara Sheep and Kalahari Red Goats. Both of these are indigenous to South Africa and Namibia. The Damara sheep originated with the Himba people of Namibia, and are characterised by their colourful hairy (not wool) coats, fat tails and ability to thrive in demanding environments without human intervention. Our herd started with ewes and rams purchased from Dawie Du Toit. Our Kalahari Red Goat herd began with animals purchased from Albie Horn and Tollie Jordaan. This breed originated in the 1970’s in South Africa and Namibia, and is renowned for its good mothering abilities, hardiness and adaptability to harsh conditions.
WILDLIFE |
Birders will not go away disappointed! There are………birds listed in our sighting book. A pair of Secretary birds regularly breeds on the farm, as do Marshall, Brown Snake and Crowned eagles. |
The usual farm birds – chickens, peacocks, geese and turkeys roam freely during the day, but are closed in at night to protect them from the wild cats. The Peacocks all roost in a huge white stinkwood tree, and keep guard over the lodge garden. Alarm calls abound when the kudu and nyala sneak in to graze the lawn and eat the day lilies! The game – Black Wildebeest, Nyala, Waterbuck, Warthog, Blesbuck, Red Hartebeest, Impala, Ostrich, Zebra, Kudu, Mountain Rhebuck and perhaps a surprise or two? – yes…. there is! – co-exist with the other livestock, and roam throughout the farm. Our game animals were introduced onto the farm for our pleasure, and a strict no-hunting policy exists.
NATURE |
The African Fish eagles remind us frequently from early dawn to sunset, where we live! So do the Hadedas. Blue cranes also delight us with their presence from time to time, as do the storks and swallows heralding the changing seasons. |
CATTLE
The farming operation is primarily cattle ranching. We run a herd of around 2000 cattle – Brahmans of course! Claire grew up with them, and really loves this breed. We use solar powered movable fences to secure our cattle in camps. Our cattle dips and handling facilities have been carefully adapted and altered to cater for this specific breed’s intelligent, cunning and feisty temperament, and make dip day a happy day for all of us! We also have a small herd of dairy Braunveih Heidicows – their calves are penned at night, and returned to their mothers after milking only 2 speens in the morning- happy cows and happy calves. The milk is for consumption on the farm, a local school… and feeding orphaned animals.
