RES OPENS STATE-OF-THE-ART MARBLING BUTCHERY TO BOOST LOCAL ECONOMY JOB CREATION

The Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation (RES) has strengthened its commitment to economic diversification and community development with the official opening of the Marbling Butchery in Simunye, a modern meat retail facility expected to create employment, improve access to quality meat products and stimulate local economic growth.

Officially opening the butchery on Monday, RES Managing Director Nick Jackson said the project demonstrates that strategic investment remains essential, even as the company continues to pursue cost-saving measures and operational efficiency. 

Addressing guests at the opening ceremony, Jackson said the corporation's focus on reducing unit costs and implementing austerity measures should not discourage investments that create long-term value. 

"Yes, we are looking at the unit cost and implementing austerity measures, but that does not mean we should stop spending money to make money," he said. 

Jackson described the Marbling Butchery as an investment that has already begun delivering positive results, adding that its success was built on collaboration across the organisation rather than the efforts of a single department. 

"The butchery is already taking off and performing wonderfully. The way it was developed is testament to teamwork. It was not Livestock and Game working independently; it was the result of different departments coming together instead of operating in silos," he said. 

He noted that the project reflects RES's commitment to innovation, operational excellence and creating sustainable business ventures that benefit both the corporation and surrounding communities. 

Speaking at the same event, RES Livestock and Game Manager, Machawe Dlamini highlighted the social and economic impact of the new facility, saying the butchery has already created employment opportunities while bringing a much-needed service closer to residents of Simunye and neighbouring communities. 

Dlamini said the establishment of the butchery created five jobs for previously unemployed emaSwati. 

He explained that the butchery will provide customers with high-quality, fresh and affordable meat products, eliminating the need for many residents to travel long distances in search of quality meat. 

"The opening of Marbling Butchery is beyond just selling meat," Dlamini said. "It is about bringing development closer to our communities, creating employment and improving access to quality products." 

He added that the facility is expected to serve customers from Simunye, Lomahasha, Shewula, Maphiveni, Ngomane and Thabankulu, making it a convenient retail outlet for thousands of residents across the eastern region of Eswatini. 

Constructed at a cost of E1 million, the Marbling Butchery also provided employment opportunities for numerous emaSwati during the construction period, contributing to local livelihoods before officially commencing operations. 

The opening of the butchery aligns with RES's broader strategy of diversifying its business portfolio while supporting economic growth in communities where it operates. Beyond its traditional sugar operations, the corporation continues to invest in initiatives that generate employment, strengthen local enterprise and improve the quality of life for surrounding communities. 

With its modern facilities, commitment to quality and strategic location, the Marbling Butchery is expected to become a key supplier of premium meat products in the Lubombo region while reinforcing RES's reputation as a company that invests not only in business growth but also in the sustainable development of the communities it serves.