On a stormy April night in 1995 my wife, Talita, had me driving through mud and rain to fetch our first Great Dane, Fritz. Since that day, we were never without a Dane. We lost Fritz when he protected Talita against a Cape Cobra.”

When the first Potgieters arrived in Africa from Germany via the Netherlands before 1665, they fell in love with their new-found motherland and raised their sons and daughters in a harsh, untamed land.

More than 300 years later, that same spirit lived on as we bred and raised Great Danes — originally from Germany — in the harsh North‑Western Bushveld of Southern Africa, just as our forefathers once raised their families.

Bred for Africa, our dogs are sturdy, powerfully muscled animals: calm and docile by nature, yet fearless and protective when required. Raised alongside wildlife, including lions, they have tracked, hunted, and herded cattle when needed. True to their origins, they remain Gentle Giants — loyal companions who protect those who care for them.

In May 2024, the Potgieter family relocated to Memel in the Free State, continuing the journey of Nghala Great Danes on the farm that would become its final chapter under André’s care. On 13 January 2026, André Potgieter passed away peacefully on this Memel farm, leaving behind a legacy built on devotion, strength, and an unwavering love for the breed.

Following this immense loss, Nghala Great Danes entered a new chapter. On 22 February 2026, the kennel was entrusted to Beánri van Wyk, who, together with her husband Jaco, collected the adult dogs from the Memel farm and welcomed them into their new home in Stoffberg, Mpumalanga.

On 28 March 2026, the first litter was born in Stoffberg — marking not only new life, but a renewed future for Nghala Great Danes. While the journey has changed hands, the foundation remains the same: strong dogs, bred with purpose, raised with love, and grounded in legacy.