Just Meats Primary Coop
| Business Location: | Township |
| Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
| Branch: | Durban |
| Business Start Date: | |
| Busniess Type: | Co-operative |
Business Dynamics and Challenges
Business Activities:
Just Meats operates as both a butchery and a sit-in shisanyama business, serving the community with fresh, high-quality meat and a unique dining experience. The co-operative offers a wide variety of meat products, including:
• Beef steaks (sirloin, rump, T-bone)
• Boerewors (processed in-house)
• Chicken
• Livers
• Oxtail
By combining retail butchery services with a vibrant shisanyama atmosphere, Just Meats provides customers with the convenience of purchasing fresh meat as well as the enjoyment of ready-to-eat meals on-site.
Challenges/Needs:
In 2021, Just Meats experienced a major setback when public unrest led to the destruction of the building they operated from. Critical equipment, including cameras, point-of-sale systems, and machinery, was stolen, along with stock. To recover, the co-operative was forced to take a loan in order to resume operations and reinstate its employees, since the insurance companies blatantly refused claims related to the unrest.
A second challenge facing the business has been frequent power outages in the area. Load-shedding often forces the co-operative to close early, halt trading, and results in significant stock losses due to spoilage, putting pressure on both operations and profitability.
Intervention Insights and Results
Intervention Details:
Through the Co-operatives Development Support Programme (CDSP), Just Meats secured 100% grant funding of R654,000.00. This funding enabled the business to make crucial improvements, including:
• Stock replenishment worth R200,000.00
• Installation of air-conditioning, creating a comfortable and safe working environment for staff
• Enhanced security through the installation of cameras and alarm systems
• Solar power systems, ensuring continuity of operations during power outages
This intervention strengthened the business’s resilience, improved workplace conditions, and provided peace of mind for the directors and employees.
• Stock replenishment worth R200,000.00
• Installation of air-conditioning, creating a comfortable and safe working environment for staff
• Enhanced security through the installation of cameras and alarm systems
• Solar power systems, ensuring continuity of operations during power outages
This intervention strengthened the business’s resilience, improved workplace conditions, and provided peace of mind for the directors and employees.
Outcome Details:
The intervention has delivered significant measurable results for Just Meats, strengthening both its financial performance and social impact in the community:
• Turnover Growth: Revenue grew from R3 154 601.50 to R3 834 735.08, reflecting a remarkable increase of R680 133.58 (21.56%). This improvement is directly attributable to the replenished stock and the installation of solar systems, which enabled operations to continue during power outages.
• Job Creation: Employment was sustained at 18 employees (16 permanent, 2 contract positions), ensuring continued livelihoods for community members despite previous business setbacks
• Profitability: Net loss decreased significantly from -R614,048.50 to -R64,068.82, representing an improvement of R549,979.68 (89.56%). Although the business is still operating at a small loss, the sharp reduction demonstrates a strong recovery trajectory and improved sustainability post-intervention.
• Turnover Growth: Revenue grew from R3 154 601.50 to R3 834 735.08, reflecting a remarkable increase of R680 133.58 (21.56%). This improvement is directly attributable to the replenished stock and the installation of solar systems, which enabled operations to continue during power outages.
• Job Creation: Employment was sustained at 18 employees (16 permanent, 2 contract positions), ensuring continued livelihoods for community members despite previous business setbacks
• Profitability: Net loss decreased significantly from -R614,048.50 to -R64,068.82, representing an improvement of R549,979.68 (89.56%). Although the business is still operating at a small loss, the sharp reduction demonstrates a strong recovery trajectory and improved sustainability post-intervention.
Client Feedback
Client Comments:
The support helped us recover, improve operations, and secure jobs. We are grateful and confident about Just Meats’ future.
