02 Mar 2026

After years of anticipation and multiple delays, the Tsabong Multi-Species Abattoir (TMSA) is set to officially commence operations in April.

The announcement was made by TMSA production manager, Mr Eric Gabaake, during the ongoing Tsabong District full council meeting.

Mr Gabaake told the council meeting that the facility was finally ready to fulfill its mandate.

“The long-awaited abattoir would finally be open in April,” he said, marking the end of a long period of construction and administrative preparation.

He noted that the project was designed to be a high-tech, multi-species hub capable of processing beef, small stock and game meat for both domestic consumption and lucrative international export markets.

He also pointed out that the facility was expected to create numerous jobs and stimulate secondary industries like leather tanning and packaging.

However, the production manager’s assurance of an April start date did little to quiet the concerns regarding the bottom line.

While the news of the opening was initially met with relief, the atmosphere quickly shifted to frustration as the proposed pricing structure for livestock was unveiled to local leaders.

The primary point of disagreement centered on the announced buying price of P53 per kilogramme. Village leaders and local councillors reacted with sharp criticism, labelling the rate as a significant blow to the farming community.

During the presentation, several councillors decried the P53 figure, stating that it was far too low to make a meaningful difference in the lives of rural producers.

They argued that the price was not only disappointing but was actually lower than the rates currently offered by local butcheries, effectively punishing farmers for choosing the state-of-the-art facility over private buyers.

Councillors expressed fear that the abattoir may struggle to secure a steady supply of animals if it cannot compete with the existing local market.

They noted that for a project of such magnitude to be considered a success, it must offer a premium that reflected the high costs of farming in the harsh Kgalagadi environment.

They warned that without a price revision, the multi-million-pula facility risked becoming a ‘white elephant’ as farmers continued to seek better returns through traditional informal channels.

As the countdown to the April opening begins, the pressure is mounting on the abattoir’s leadership to address the grievances.

Farmers across the district are now watching closely to see if there would be any intervention to adjust the price points before the first animal is processed. ENDS