Going! Going! Gone.
The southern part of Zambia is home to the Tonga people whose day to day life revolve around the cattle they have kept for centuries. The traditional Tonga cattle which can be traced back to the Tonga breed constitutes over 50% of the national herd.

In keeping with the Tonga tradition the acquisition of cattle is an important activity. The cattle play an important role in the social and farming system of the people. The oxen are used for ploughing and traction, while cows provide milk. Cattle dung is used as manure in the fields for those with sizeable herds. Cattle are also used as a mode of payment for various social issues like marriage.

However the long-standing tradition is under threat from the outbreak of Corridor disease, which is another form of Theileriosis caused by T. parva Lawrence. In most parts of Tonga land mortality rates of 70 to 100 % have not been uncommon.

The loss of cattle has had direct and indirect effects which are far reaching. They do not only include reduction in cultivated land, late ploughing, reduced crop yields due to lack of manure but is threatening the loss of undocumented traditional knowledge which has been passed on for centuries. The ultimate effect of all this has been increased poverty levels.

The indigenous Tonga breed that is part of the sanga family has over years developed resistance to diseases to suit its environment. However the introduction of exotic breads with low disease resistance by the European settlers sparked off genetic erosion. Both the colonial and post independence government’s acceralated the erosion by promoting crossbreeding projects whose primary aim was increased yield at the expense of survivability. The crossbreeds require expertise and external inputs like dips, antibiotics and vaccines, which are unavailable at local level.
As usual the blame has landed on the Tonga people for not adopting the alien management practices, which are not sustainable.

To control the state of affairs programs and projects funded by both state and non governmental organizations were and are still being set but to no avail. Even after all what we have been through genetic conservation is not getting a front row as the key to the problem. No effort from the government, non-governmental organization, private companies or individuals is being made to conserve this breed of animal. It is almost impossible to come across a true breed representation except for a few animals left if still they’re in remote areas, which have been excluded from genetic pollution.

Each minute that goes by the breed is Going, Going, soon will be Gone.

After ten years of working for one of the largest cattle ranching companies in Southern Africa at a very senior level I am tempted to explore the possibility of breeding and preserving the Tonga cattle with all the local management knowledge that go with it. Being Tonga myself I feel even guiltier that I am not able to do anything to stop the possible extinction of our inheritance though I am reminded that we did not inherit the cattle from our fathers but we have borrowed them from our children.

However because of the magnitude of the problem I would like to link up with people or institutions which would be willing to fund the write up of a feasibility study and may be eventually the implementation and participation in the project.

Many thanks and waiting to hear from you. God bless
Mulamfu .C. Simuyuni, PO BOX 670316, Mazabuka, Zambia