About Meatmasters Group
Meatmasters Group is a vertically integrated meat business based in Vryheid, in Northern KwaZulu-Natal. The company was established in 1995 as Vryheid Meatmasters and has grown from a single butchery into a group that runs its own abattoir, deboning plant, smokehouse, butchery supplies business and retail butcheries.
The group employs about 350 people. Because every stage from the farm to the shop counter is under one roof, we can trace the meat we sell back to the carcass and the producer, and we control quality at every step.
What we do
Abattoir
Our abattoir opened in 1998 and is registered as a high-throughput red meat abattoir with the Department of Veterinary Public Health (registration 5/54), slaughtering pigs, cattle and sheep. It is situated 13 km from Vryheid on the R69 towards Louwsburg. Meat inspection and carcass classification are carried out by the independent IMQAS service, coordinated by SAMIC. The abattoir and primal plant are certified to FSSC 22000, the abattoir is Pork 360 certified, and we hold Pick n Pay sow- and crate-friendly certification.
Deboning plant
The deboning and primal plant produces boxed primal cuts and trimmings, chilled or frozen and cut to customer specification, for wholesale and retail customers across KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng. It is attached to the smokehouse, so cuts move directly into processing without leaving our control.
Smokehouse
Our smokehouse is a traditional German-style facility producing bacon, hams, sausages, cold meats and other processed pork products to recipes that have been followed for decades.
Butchery supplies
Meatmasters Butchery Supplies is the sole distributor of Crown National spices, casings and butchery consumables for the Northern KwaZulu-Natal region, serving butcheries, caterers and food producers from our premises at 106 East Street, Vryheid.
Retail butcheries
Natalia Meatmarket in Vryheid is the group’s flagship butchery, and through a partnership with the Roots Retail Group we operate Roots Butchery Vryheid, Roots X Press, Roots eMondlo and Roots eDumbe in Paulpietersburg. All five stores sell fresh meat, frozen packs and products from our own smokehouse.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Meatmasters Group?
Our head office and Natalia Meatmarket are at 106 East Street, Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, 3100. The abattoir is 13 km outside Vryheid on the R69 towards Louwsburg.
Do you supply pork to wholesale customers?
Yes. We supply pork, beef and lamb carcasses, deboned primals cut to specification, trim, offal and smokehouse products to butcheries, wholesalers, processors, retailers and food-service customers, with full loads delivered anywhere in South Africa. See our wholesale supply page or contact Tobie Gouws on 082 893 5858.
Can I supply pigs to your abattoir?
We buy pigs from producers in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, and are able to take supply from other provinces as well. See our pig producers page or contact the abattoir on 034 981 4229.
Do you supply nationally or only in KwaZulu-Natal?
Nationally. Full loads — about 150 pig carcasses or 13 tonnes of boxed product — are delivered to customers anywhere in South Africa, and we run regular regional distribution across KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng. Our head office, abattoir and plants are in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal.
Is your meat traceable?
Yes. Because we own the abattoir, deboning plant, smokehouse and butcheries, every product can be traced back to the carcass and the farm it came from. The abattoir is registered with the Department of Veterinary Public Health and is Pork 360 certified.
What are your butchery opening hours?
Natalia Meatmarket: Monday to Friday 08:00–17:00, Saturday 08:00–13:00. Roots Butchery Vryheid and Roots X Press: Monday to Friday 08:00–18:00, Saturday 08:00–15:00. Roots eMondlo: Monday to Saturday 09:00–18:00, Sunday 09:00–15:00. Roots eDumbe, Paulpietersburg: Monday to Friday 08:00–18:00, Saturday 08:00–17:00, Sunday and public holidays 08:00–14:00.
Do you deliver?
Yes. Our Vryheid delivery service runs on 034 981 4222 — you ring, we bring.
Where can I buy Crown National spices in Northern KwaZulu-Natal?
From Meatmasters Butchery Supplies at 106 East Street, Vryheid — the region’s sole Crown National distributor. Call 034 981 6409 or email crown@meatmasters.co.za.