Pretoria, July 10, 2024 – The winners of the 19th Cleaver Awards were announced during a dedicated ceremony, hosted by RMIS and ceremony sponsor Freddy Hirsch – The Spice Champions, at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday, July 6, 2024, just before the iconic rugby clash where the Springboks triumphed over Ireland for the first time since 2016. 

These awards recognise the exemplary performance and dedication of South Africa’s finest butcheries throughout the year 2023/2024. 

Winners: 

This year’s awards introduced several innovations aimed at further enhancing transparency and recognising excellence in diverse segments of the market.

New Categories and Rigorous Audits

In a departure from previous years, the 2023/2024 Cleaver Awards featured notable changes:

o New Category Inclusion: The addition of the “Main Markets” category highlighted retail butchers serving rural and township areas, underscoring their integral role in local communities.

o Streamlined Selection Process: This year, only one provincial winner per category was selected, from which national winners were determined. This approach aimed to showcase the best regional talent on a national stage.

o Comprehensive Auditing: Unlike past editions focusing solely on specific sections like beef, this year’s audit by SAMIC covered the entire butchery, assessing all aspects including food safety, hygiene, value for money, and customer service.

Methodology and Recognition

The selection process began with public nominations, followed by rigorous audits of the top 100 nominated butcheries across South Africa. Winners were announced in the following categories:

o 3 and Less Tills: Recognising one winner per province where applicable and one national winner.

o More Than 3 Tills: Acknowledging exceptional butcheries with broader operations, honouring provincial winners alongside a national champion.

o Meat Markets: Celebrating excellence in hyper/supermarkets across provinces, with one provincial and national winner each.

o Main Markets (Township Areas): Highlighting the standout performer in retail butcheries serving rural and township communities nationwide.

Acknowledgements and Transition

RMIS, responsible for overseeing the industry up to the abattoir level, concludes its involvementwith the Cleaver Awards this year. The management of the Cleaver Awards will be handled henceforth by Ryan Read and Twins Black. RMIS extends its best wishes to Ryan Read and the Twins Black team in their stewardship of this esteemed industry recognition program.

For More Information

For further details on SAMIC’s auditing process, visit www.samic.co.za or contact them on (012) 361-4545. For inquiries regarding the voting and nominations process, please reach out to Ryan Read of Twins Black via admin@twinsblack.com or call 0837115379.

As two key players in South Africa’s agricultural landscape, RMIS and GRAIN SA recognise the importance of working together to address common challenges and promote sustainable growth. Their teams engaged in constructive dialogue regarding inclusive growth and farmer development initiatives, aiming to identify areas of mutual benefit.

Dewald Olivier, RMIS CEO, commented, “Our meeting with GRAIN SA highlights the value of collaboration in advancing the interests of farmers and fostering a resilient agricultural sector. By pooling our expertise and resources, we can create synergies that benefit both industries.”

The discussions between RMIS and GRAIN SA exemplify the spirit of cooperation essential for driving positive change in South Africa’s agricultural sector. Both organisations are committed to exploring opportunities for partnership that promote shared growth and contribute to the overall development of the industry.

Narrated by John Hall, a local South African cattle farmer, viewers will witness first-hand the challenges faced by producers, new innovations by the RMIS, and the passionate individuals propelling the industry’s growth.

The documentary delves into various aspects of the red meat industry, highlighting the vital role of technology, tradition, and innovation in meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving market. Through interviews with industry stakeholders, including Dr.Phillip Oosthuizen, Alvin Steenkamp, Michaela Pretorius, and Marina Fourie, viewers gain valuable insights into topics ranging from animal welfare and sustainability to market access and consumer education.

“We are excited to premiere BULLSEYE at NAMPO 2024,” said Dewald Olivier RMIS CEO. “This documentary serves as a celebration of the resilience and dedication of everyone involved in the red meat value chain. It is a testament to our commitment to fostering a sustainable, competitive, and inclusive industry for future generations, and we look forward to meeting the role-players of the value chain at NAMPO.”

Screenings of BULLSEYE will take place every hour on the hour from 14 – 17 May at the Livestock Auction Building during NAMPO 2024. Attendees are invited to join the RMIS team for this cinematic experience, offering a glimpse into the heart of the red meat industry.

Following NAMPO 2024, the documentary will be available for viewing on the Red Meat Khuluma YouTube channel, ensuring broader accessibility for audiences worldwide.

Disclaimer:

The opinions expressed in this documentary are solely those of the individuals interviewed and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS). Viewers are encouraged to engage critically with the content and consult additional sources for further understanding. No animals were harmed during the production of this documentary, and ethical filming practices were strictly adhered to. The documentary respects cultural sensitivities and ethical standards in its portrayal of people, practices, and places.

Narrated by John Hall, a local South African cattle farmer, viewers will witness first-hand the challenges faced by producers, new innovations by the RMIS, and the passionate individuals propelling the industry’s growth.

The documentary delves into various aspects of the red meat industry, highlighting the vital role of technology, tradition, and innovation in meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving market. Through interviews with industry stakeholders, including Dr.Phillip Oosthuizen, Alvin Steenkamp, Michaela Pretorius, and Marina Fourie, viewers gain valuable insights into topics ranging from animal welfare and sustainability to market access and consumer education.

“We are excited to premiere BULLSEYE at NAMPO 2024,” said Dewald Olivier RMIS CEO. “This documentary serves as a celebration of the resilience and dedication of everyone involved in the red meat value chain. It is a testament to our commitment to fostering a sustainable, competitive, and inclusive industry for future generations, and we look forward to meeting the role-players of the value chain at NAMPO.”

Screenings of BULLSEYE will take place every hour on the hour from 14 – 17 May at the Livestock Auction Building during NAMPO 2024. Attendees are invited to join the RMIS team for this cinematic experience, offering a glimpse into the heart of the red meat industry.

Following NAMPO 2024, the documentary will be available for viewing on the Red Meat Khuluma YouTube channel, ensuring broader accessibility for audiences worldwide.

Disclaimer:

The opinions expressed in this documentary are solely those of the individuals interviewed and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS). Viewers are encouraged to engage critically with the content and consult additional sources for further understanding. No animals were harmed during the production of this documentary, and ethical filming practices were strictly adhered to. The documentary respects cultural sensitivities and ethical standards in its portrayal of people, practices, and places.

The Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) is set to unveil a captivating documentary at NAMPO 2024, offering viewers an immersive journey through the South African Red Meat Value Chain. The documentary is a tribute to the rich history, challenges, and innovations driving the red meat industry forward. The title “BULLSEYE,” alludes to the firm targets that the RMIS has set out to achieve in the Red Meat Industry Strategy 2030.

Narrated by John Hall, a local South African cattle farmer, viewers will witness first-hand the challenges faced by producers, new innovations by the RMIS, and the passionate individuals propelling the industry’s growth.

The documentary delves into various aspects of the red meat industry, highlighting the vital role of technology, tradition, and innovation in meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving market. Through interviews with industry stakeholders, including Dr.Phillip Oosthuizen, Alvin Steenkamp, Michaela Pretorius, and Marina Fourie, viewers gain valuable insights into topics ranging from animal welfare and sustainability to market access and consumer education.

“We are excited to premiere BULLSEYE at NAMPO 2024,” said Dewald Olivier RMIS CEO. “This documentary serves as a celebration of the resilience and dedication of everyone involved in the red meat value chain. It is a testament to our commitment to fostering a sustainable, competitive, and inclusive industry for future generations, and we look forward to meeting the role-players of the value chain at NAMPO.”

Screenings of BULLSEYE will take place every hour on the hour from 14 – 17 May at the Livestock Auction Building during NAMPO 2024. Attendees are invited to join the RMIS team for this cinematic experience, offering a glimpse into the heart of the red meat industry.

Following NAMPO 2024, the documentary will be available for viewing on the Red Meat Khuluma YouTube channel, ensuring broader accessibility for audiences worldwide.

Disclaimer:

The opinions expressed in this documentary are solely those of the individuals interviewed and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS). Viewers are encouraged to engage critically with the content and consult additional sources for further understanding. No animals were harmed during the production of this documentary, and ethical filming practices were strictly adhered to. The documentary respects cultural sensitivities and ethical standards in its portrayal of people, practices, and places.

The potential of the Saudi Arabian market for the export of red meat is a topic that has been gaining a lot of attention in the South African red meat industry. Saudi Arabia has a high demand for red meat, and this presents an excellent opportunity for South African red meat producers to expand their market share.

Saudi Arabia has a population of approximately 36 million people. Saudi Arabia has one of the highest per capita meat consumptions in the world, and it is estimated that a total volume of about 262,500 metric tons of red meat is consumed per year.

The South African red meat industry has the potential to export a significant volume of red meat to Saudi Arabia. Currently, South Africa produces approximately 1.3 million metric tons of red meat per year. If South Africa could capture just 5% of the Saudi Arabian market, it would represent a potential export volume of 13,125 metric tons per year.

The impact of such an export market on the value of beef and cattle in South Africa could be significant. Increased demand from Saudi Arabia could result in higher prices for South African beef, cattle and lamb, which would benefit South African red meat producers.

Furthermore, an increased demand for South African beef and cattle could lead to an increase in investment in the South African red meat industry. This could result in improved breeding and production practices, which would further enhance the competitiveness of the South African red meat industry in the global market.

However, there are also some challenges that South African red meat producers would need to overcome to take advantage of the Saudi Arabian market. These include ensuring that the quality of the exported meat meets the required standards and complying with the relevant regulations and protocols.

In conclusion, the potential of the Saudi Arabian market for the export of red meat represents a significant opportunity for the South African red meat industry. With the right approach, South African red meat producers could capture a portion of this market, which could lead to increased investment, higher prices, and improved competitiveness in the global market.