Before the Bonsmara breeding program began in 1937, cattle breeds in South Africa struggled with tick-borne diseases and challenging climate conditions. The Bonsmara was developed to create a new species that could handle the harsh conditions in South Africa, and the cattle became available to South African Farmers in the 1950s. The Bonsmara’s success helped South Africa and other regions on the continent maintain high production levels and contributed to the overall success of the beef industry in Africa.