DESPITE the numerous obstacles faced over the past 24 months by the red meat industry, and indeed the entire South African agricultural sector, this year’s Cleaver Awards have proven that not only does this industry remain robust, but that our butchery standards are still among the best in the world.
Now in their 17th year, these awards, which are proudly supported by Freddy Hirsch, are honouring the best of the best from both 2020 and 2021.
The Cleaver Awards, a Red Meat Industry Forum initiative, are held annually to recognise the country’s best butcheries based on quality, service, hygiene, and value for money. The awards have become well-respected by consumers countrywide as a seal of approval.
This is primarily due to the fact that butcheries, once they have entered, cannot nominate themselves, as the awards are given based on customer votes. All butcheries that receive over 100 votes are then anonymously audited by The South African Meat Industry Company (SAMIC) against an extensive 212-point checklist.
“With lockdowns, changes in demand and shifts in consumer behaviour, our butcheries have had to become increasingly agile, in some instances transforming their approaches and accommodating new ways of business. And even though many were hit hard due to the pandemic, these Cleaver Awards confirm that our butcheries are still very much worth their beef,” said Dewald Olivier, executive officer of The South African Feedlot Association (SAFA).
Several common attributes among the winning butcheries have been reinforced, including training and upliftment of staff, a passion for the business, and above all else, customer-centricity, being core to any successful butchery.
The awards luncheon, held on Thursday at Emperor’s Palace, was attended by senior members of the meat production and retail industry, award finalists, judges and media.
A special thank you once again went to Freddy Hirsch for supplying the Cleaver Awards for the winners.
Eastern Cape winners include:
Four and more tills
1. Cuyler Butchery, Uitenhage Platinum
Meat Markets
1. Levyvale SuperSpar, Uitenhage Platinum
2. Swartkops Spar, Gqeberha Platinum
3. Debi Lee SuperSpar, East London Gold
For more information about the Cleaver Awards, and other initiatives within the Red Meat Industry in South Africa, visit www.beeftalk.co.za.
– ISSUED BY THE PR SPACE
