The objective of the study was to compare the functions and management systems of goats in Chirumanzu district in Zimbabwe and, Alfred Nzo and Amatole districts in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Data were collected using participatory rural appraisal techniques and direct observations. In addition, structured questionnaires from 344 households as follows; 69 from Alfred Nzo district, 144 from Amatole district and 132 from Chirumanzu district were also used to retrieve information from farmers. There were more female goat owners in male-headed households in Chirumanzu (75%) than in Amatole (27%) and Alfred Nzo (30%). Mean goat flock sizes per household were markedly high in Amatole (14.0?±?0.31) and Alfred Nzo (14.1?±?1.42) as compared to Chirumanzu (4.7?±?0.30). There were positive correlations (r?=?0.30 for Amatole, r?=?0.34 for Alfred Nzo and r?=?0.25 for Chirumanzu; P?