BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE– As Eswatini faces the challenges of foot-and-mouth disease in beef production, Beef Boys Butchery has reaffirmed its commitment to healthy, high-quality beef for consumers.
The butchery continues to support local farmers in approved, disease-free areas while maintaining supply resilience through a vertically integrated model that allows for responsible imports when necessary.
“While we continue to source from local farmers in approved, safe areas, particularly in light of foot-and-mouth regulations, our vertically integrated model allows us to remain resilient during periods of limited local supply. When necessary, we responsibly import meat from approved regional countries, strictly adhering to all veterinary, regulatory, and food safety requirements,” stated business owners Poppy and Jan Verster.
The Versters emphasised that imported meat is subject to the same cold-chain controls, hygiene standards, inspections, and traceability protocols as locally sourced beef, ensuring consistent quality for all customers.
Beef Boys Butchery was founded to address gaps in Eswatini’s meat market, including inconsistent quality, limited traceability, and a lack of customer education around premium cuts. Their guiding principle is simple: customers deserve meat they can trust, understand, and enjoy consistently. Over time, this philosophy has evolved into strict quality standards, hands-on operational oversight, and a service culture focused on education and experience as much as product delivery.
The Versters are highly involved in the daily operations of the butchery, overseeing procurement, carcass selection, cutting standards, cold-chain management, and customer experience. Their presence on the floor, in the abattoir, and in supplier relationships ensures consistency, accountability, and immediate correction whenever standards are not met.
Located in the Matsapha Industrial Site, the butchery offers central access, ample parking, and efficient logistics, serving households, lodges, restaurants, and event clients with both walk-in and delivery services.
“‘Best Quality Meats’ at Beef Boys means full traceability, strict sourcing controls, hormone-conscious production, hygienic processing, proper aging where applicable, and uncompromised cold-chain integrity from slaughter to counter. Quality checks are continuous and enforced daily,” the Versters said.
Owning their own abattoir and feedlot gives them control over the entire production chain. On their farm, maize is grown and converted into silage to feed cattle, allowing them to manage animal welfare, feed quality, and predictable meat outcomes. Every step, from feedlot to abattoir to counter, is monitored under strict hygiene and safety protocols.
In a price-sensitive market, the Versters emphasise value through education. Customers receive guidance on portion control, correct cut selection, and cooking, ensuring they get the best return on their investment while fully understanding the quality they are paying for.
