Ramaphosa falls in love with Ankole cows
Aug 08, 2018
“But when I turned, I saw beautiful cows that I had never seen before,” Ramaphosa remarked.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said he still remembers the day he went to President Yoweri Museveni's farm and had an encounter with the Ankole cattle.
He said he met the President and his beautiful daughter (did not mention the name). "But when I turned, I saw beautiful cows that I had never seen before," Ramaphosa remarked.
"I decided to take only the Ankole cattle," added Ramaphosa during the Kuhingira (giveaway) of Bridget Birungi Rwakairu, the niece of former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi to his son, Andile Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa could not enter South Africa with the cattle because of veterinary protocols.
So he took them to Kenya, where embryos were extracted and exported to South Africa, where he has grown a big herd. The colorful ceremony took place at the home of former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi in Kololo, Kampala on Saturday. Mbabazi and his wife, Jacqueline, raised Birungi.
Museveni hailed Ramaphosa as a freedom fighter, businessman and one person who appreciates the African heritage. "I learnt that President Ramaphosa deeply appreciates the African heritage because of his love for Ankole cows."
Birungi is the daughter of Peace Ruhindi Rwakairu and the late Shadrack Rwakairu who was murdered in the 1980s during the struggle to end dictatorship in Uganda.
Museveni also spoke about his gift to Ramaphosa, of 43 Ankole cattle that have multiplied into a huge herd both in Kenya and South Africa.
He congratulated the couple — Andile and Birungi— and thanked them for linking the Great Lakes Region and South Africa.
On the other hand, Ramaphosa commended Museveni for continuing to be a visionary leader for Africa. He said Museveni was one of the leaders who advocate unity, progress and development for Africa.
He further hailed Museveni and Uganda for the moral, political, material, military and diplomatic support given to them during their struggle to remove the apartheid regime. Ramaphosa also hailed Ugandan businessman, Charles Mbire, for cementing the relationship between the two families.
Mbire was the go-between for the two families. The Prime Minister, Ruhakana Rugunda, who was also the chairperson of the organising committee of the ceremony, congratulated the couple on tracing their roots and preserving them.