The performance of Nguni, Afrikander and Bonsmara cattle during the 1989-92 drought period in the North West Province of South Africa was compared. Results for the Nguni, Afrikander and Bonsmara, respectively were as follows: birth mass – 30.3, 30.2, 31.l kg; 200-day mass – 135.6, 173.6, 150.6 kg; first calving interval – 474, 441, 685 d; second calving interval – 454, 382, 445 d; calving percentage – 87, 69, 70 %. Birth mass and 200-day mass within breed was affected by sire (P < 0.01). It was concluded that the breeds performed well under drought conditions but performance could be improved by genetic means.