Savanna

The original Savanna goat was bred out of indigenous African goats by the Cilliers family of Douglas. A white goat was given to Mrs Cilliers by her Griqua servants. She acquired a further five goats which contained white in their colour pattern and then bred white offspring from this foundation herd. This herd is now kept in a camp near the Vaal River under extremely unfavourable conditions. More recently three more independent herds were established in different parts of the country to meet the demand for white goats for ceremonial purposes. As a result of natural selection Savanna goats are fertile, heat tolerant and parasite resistant and their black skins protect them from strong ultra-violet rays.