A multi-million-rand abattoir in Hluhluwe is a true reflection of the agricultural triumphs and milestones achieved towards the transformation and development of the agricultural sector in the past 30 years.  

The KZN Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (KZN DARD) officially handed over a first of its kind, state of the art facility at Phangela Trading and Stock Enterprise in Hluhluwe on Thursday, 09 May 2024. 

This is in line with the Department’s vision of positioning Black farmers for commercial success by providing funding and holistic agricultural support. 

Sphamandla Maphanga, owner of Phangela Trading and Stock Enterprise, said the abattoir was the “miracle” that the farm had been hoping for as they were previously dependent on local businesses to slaughter and process their meat, losing money in the process. 

Maphanga, who started as an emerging farmer feeding cattle from car tyres, said his journey with KZN DARD began in 2019 when he applied for funding which was approved, to develop the first phase of the farm, a storage shed. 

Now he employs 36 employees, 30 of which hold permanent positions and hosts students from universities for their practicals as well as farmers interested on feedlot business and schools for excursions.

“We have three sections, a grazing camp, a feedlot and now an abattoir. We start weaning from 170kg and when cattle are at least 250kg they move to our feedlot where they are fattened for 120 days to reach between 250–500kg, our A Grade meat. From there, we walk them to our abattoir.” 

Maphanga said they were currently licensed to slaughter 6 cattle but this was not sufficient for market demand. 

“We currently deliver to butcheries, supermarkets and shisanyamas in the townships. Our goal as a rural abattoir is to slaughter 20 cattle daily. We are grateful to the Department and we want to expand the abattoir ourselves and establish wholesales for our people,” said Maphanga. 

Maphanga also owns butcheries in Mtubatuba, Mkuze, Mbonambi and Jozini where he sells to local communities at reasonable prices. 

After assessing operations at the farm, MEC Super Zuma said he was mostly impressed by the professionalism displayed by Maphanga. 

“The government’s plan is to grow and develop emerging farmers to sustainable businesses and we are succeeding. We have created a firm and our people will benefit immensely from this project,” said MEC Zuma.