20 January 2025
Lumka Msithwa is one of only 25 people in KwaZulu-Natal to graduate as globally recognised certified Master Butchers through the Shoprite Group’s Master Meat Artisan Programme.
Originally from Bizana in the Eastern Cape, Lumka started working for the Group in 2009 as a General Assistant. She has always believed that the path to excellence requires hard work, courage and being open to change – characteristics that served her well as she advanced rapidly through the ranks into her current role of Senior Meat Market Manager at Checkers Mount Richmore in Salt Rock, KZN.
Lumka Msithwa, Senior Meat Market Manager at Checkers Mount Richmore in Salt Rock, KZN.
“Becoming a Master Butcher is incredibly rewarding and challenging at the same time. It requires understanding different cuts of meat, animal autonomy, food safety and business management,” she shared.
Lumka and her team pride themselves on giving customers the best service, as well as providing guidance on how to prepare certain cuts of meat.
“The meat industry is constantly changing which makes it important to be open to surmounting new challenges and continuously strengthening relationships with customers, suppliers and colleagues.”
- Lumka Msithwa, certified Master Butcher from KwaZulu-Natal
The Shoprite Group is the only company in Africa to offer the exclusive and highly specialised Master Meat Artisan butchery learning programme, underwritten by the United Kingdom’s Institute of Meat. It aims to boost the development of a scarce and sought-after skill, provide career opportunities for its employees and put its supermarkets on the map as world-class specialists in meat processing.
There are currently more than 120 Master Butchers applying their expertise to provide only the best service and product offering to customers of Shoprite and Checkers butcheries across the country.
Priscilla Chetty, the Senior Meat Market Manager at Checkers Virginia Circle in Durban.
Priscilla Chetty, the Senior Meat Market Manager at Checkers Virginia Circle in Durban, has worked for the retailer since 1994 – working herself up from General Assistant and qualifying as Master Butcher in 2022. Her favourite part of being a Master Butcher is engaging with customers, particularly providing guidance on how to choose certain meat cuts and advising how they’re best prepared.
“The Master Meat Artisan butchery learning programme played an important role in cultivating an environment of improved communication, productivity and problem solving with the team. It was also an opportunity to engage with colleagues and share our experiences with one another.”
- Priscilla Chetty, Senior Meat Market Manager at Checkers Virginia Circle in Durban
Letitia Loxton, Meat Market Manager at Checkers Metlife Plaza.
Gqeberha’s Letitia Loxton brings more than 25 years of expertise to the butcher’s block. She joined Checkers Metlife Plaza in 2013 as Senior Meat Technician. Her drive and skill saw her quickly promoted to Meat Market Manager and selected for the Master Meat Artisan Programme in 2021.
“Being a part of this programme has equipped me with skills that enable me to be a more adaptable leader. The knowledge has allowed me to empower my team which in turn has assisted us to better serve and inform customers. I’m also excited to be an example to other women so that they too can become Master Butchers.”
- Letitia Loxton, Meat Market Manager from Checkers Metlife Plaza
Peddie-born Master Butcher, Mthetheleli Booi.
For Peddie-born Master Butcher, Mthetheleli Booi, butchery is an art, requiring highly specialised skill and mastery. He started working for Shoprite as a student in 2008, assisting with general duties such as de-boning, making sausage, and cleaning. Today he is the Butchery Manager for Shoprite Ziyabuya.
“Everything I know about the meat industry I learned from working at Shoprite. Now, with the additional experience and training I received as a Master Butcher; customers can trust that they will receive the best service when they come into the store as well as advice on what the best meat cuts are for their specific needs.”
- Peddie-born Master Butcher, Mthetheleli Booi
Aubrey Williams, Meat Market Manager of Shoprite King William’s Town.
Aubrey Williams, the only Master Butcher in King Williams Town, has been working in the meat industry for 34 years. He believes that determination, authenticity and a continued strive for excellence pushed him forward through a career journey that took him from Sausage Maker in 1990 at OK in Gqeberha, to his appointment as Meat Market Manager of Shoprite King William’s Town in 2003.
“The Master Butcher programme tested my strengths, but it was an invaluable learning experience which equipped me with a wealth of knowledge about working in the meat industry. It also helped me understand how better manage my employees, resolve conflict and mentor them in maintaining a positive attitude when interacting with customers.”
- Aubrey Williams, the only Master Butcher in King Williams Town