"One Cow for Lobola": Ankole Cow Queen Arusha Sells for Over R6 Million at SA Livestock Auction

• An Ankole cow named Queen Arusha fetched a staggering R6.4 million at a South African livestock auction on 3 October
• The high-stakes bidding war was captured on video by an audience member, with the auctioneer's final call sending the crowd into applause
• The sale price left South Africans stunned, sparking a fierce debate online about stud farming, money laundering, and lobola

An Ankole cow named Queen Arusha made South African auction history on 3 October when she was sold for a jaw-dropping R6.4 million at a livestock auction. The moment was captured on video, and it spread fast.

The clip showed an indoor auction setting, with an on-screen bidding display tracking the rapidly climbing figures. The auctioneer can be heard urging the crowd: "Ladies and gentlemen, your last opportunity to put a bid in on Queen Arusha is passing out in seconds. I'm selling R6.4 million. Third and last time. Let's put our hands together." The room erupted in applause as the gavel came down.

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Ankole cattle, known for their striking, wide-horned appearance, are considered a premium stud breed in South Africa. Stud farming involves breeding animals with exceptional genetics, and top specimens can command extraordinary prices at auction. Queen Arusha's price tag in the video by @thanduxoloduyemabaso reflects her perceived value as a breeding animal, not simply a source of meat or milk. Watch the moment Queen Arusha sold for R6.4 million below:

Mzansi reacts to R6.4 million cow

The comments section was anything but quiet:

@Pex_Africah joked:

"5 days later, Foot and Mouth Disease"

@Buang Buch. clapped back:

"In South Africa we have something called Stud farming. Understand it first before saying it's some sort of money laundering scheme."

@Nqobile Boyce asked:

"In terms of Lobola, if the in-laws demand 10 cows, can you pay Lobola by giving them this 1 cow?"

@Lethal and Unethical questioned:

"The question is, if any other ordinary person own the same cow as Queen Arusha, will it sell at the very same price?"

@Det. Joe Kenda mused:

"Does she even know she's worth that much?"

Other Briefly News stories about unique auctions

• A Johannesburg TikTok creator shared her experience visiting Auction Pro in Chartwell, Fourways, equipped with a R30,000 budget to hunt for an affordable second-hand car.
• Viral TikTok footage captured a surprising deal at a Johannesburg public vehicle auction, showing a Mercedes-Benz selling for just R160,000.
• A small historic village tucked away in the Karoo, Northern Cape, spanning over 100,000 hectares and featuring the historic Middelpos Hotel, was placed on the auction block.

Source: Briefly News