Meat Naturally

10/10/2025

This week our first 2025/26 Growing Season EcoRanger Foundations Course training was completed! The training has been taking place in Bergville, for the Upper uThukela and Qwaqwa trainees.

Throughout the 5-day course, trainees have engaged in a range of key topics including:
- Invasive Alien Plant (IAP) Management
- Practical Guidelines for Soil Erosion Control
- Adaptive and Planned Regenerative Grazing
- Animal Husbandry and Herd Health
- Market Access

Each topic included a short knowledge test to assess understanding. Practical assessments will follow a few weeks after trainees are deployed in the field and have received in-field training for implementation. These assessments will be conducted quarterly to track individual trainee performance and progress.

05/09/2025

Meat Naturally Africa is proud to be one of Peace Parks Foundation's valuable partners, particularly through the Herding 4 Health initiative. Read more about this initiative in PPF's 2024 Annual Review which was recently announced, here: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7366084014039875584/?actorCompanyId=77625919

"MNA is committed to the goals we share with PPF to not only restore rangelands in Africa, but foster economic empowerment and livelihood security along the way." - Sarah Frazee, Meat Naturally CEO

To page through the review, visit:
https://maps.ppf.org.za/arcgis/apps/storymaps/stories/7b6efb90b85048f7b815502ae47c036b?play=true&speed=medium

31/08/2025

Meat Naturally Africa is proud to announce that one of our very own has made it onto the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans list! 🏆
Masimbonge Vuma, a Training Associate, has received recognition through this prestigious programme that celebrates young South Africans under 35 who are driving change and innovation in their respective fields.

Masi has been recognised for his work in the Agriculture category, as founder of Sahaba Holdings – a 20 ha farm for mixed farming that supplies local supermarkets. For Meat Naturally, Masi plays a leadership role in our training programs and with our Ecotrainers.

Why is restoring rangelands important? According to Masi, “when we restore rangelands, we're not just healing the land, we're also securing the future of the people and wildlife that call it home - it's about bringing life back to the earth and building a stronger, more resilient world for generations to come. I think it’s important because by restoring these rangelands we can improve soil fertility, increase vegetation cover, and promote resilience to climate change, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future for both people and the planet.”

To learn more about Masi’s background and work in agriculture, find his M&G recognition here: https://mg.co.za/200youngsouthafricans/2025/masimbonge-vuma/

To learn more about the 200 Young South Africans programme overall, visit: https://mg.co.za/200-young-south-africans-2025/

Did you know? The Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans initiative’s alumni include Trevor Noah, Tatjana Smith, and Bryan Habana. Meat Naturally Africa is continually impressed by our employees, and we are delighted that one of our team has earned the well-deserved spotlight.

Born in the small town of Cala in the Eastern Cape, Masimbonge Vuma’s journey to agriculture began on his uncle’s tractor. Inspired by those early days in Ncorha village helping prepare fields, he later pursued mechanical engineering at Nelson Mandela University, where he developed critical prob...

27/08/2025

Meat Naturally Africa is : Rangeland Restoration Associate

Meat Naturally Africa is seeking to hire additional Rangeland Restoration Associates to provide ecological mentorship, interpretation and technical support to communal livestock farmers. Grazing plans will be co-designed to support resilient livelihoods based on the sound management of their livestock and biodiverse landscapes throughout the Drakensberg Sub-Escarpment, South Africa. The outcomes of the work will be regenerative livestock grazing management, erosion control, and improved animal nutrition for communal cattle in non-tenured lands.

The post will be responsible for:
• conducting ecological assessments;
• co-creating regenerative grazing plans with communal farmers;
• field mapping of grazing boundaries and sub-divisions using GIS software;
• training and providing technical oversight of professional herding teams to implement regenerative grazing and restoration plans;
• implementing seasonal and annual monitoring plans;
• supporting a range of ecological research projects by technical college and university students;
• consolidating monitoring information and implementation analysis into technical reports as well as documentation for community feedback meetings; and
• conducting workshops and capacity development on the benefits of an ecological approach to veld management within a communal grassland context for farmers, ecorangers, and communities.

Meat Naturally Africa is seeking individuals with an understanding of the ecological dynamics of the grassland mosaic of the region and we are particularly interested in individuals with knowledge of ecological restoration with experience of sustainable livestock management being beneficial.

The envisaged candidate will:
• have at least a tertiary diploma or a degree in a relevant field with a major component in rangeland ecology
• ideally have two years’ work experience in a relevant field
• be energetic, physically fit and able to work both indoors and outdoors
• have well developed social and communication skills in spoken and written English, isiZulu, isiXhosa and/or Sesotho
• be capable of working alone, and as part of a team
• be disciplined, an efficient time-manager and able to work to targets
• be effective and communicate efficiently with distant management
• have a valid Code 08 driver’s license (essential)
• be required to travel to fulfil the requirements of this position
• be familiar with basic productivity and GIS software (e.g. MS Office, Google Earth Pro, and QGIS).

Remuneration for this position will range from R200,000 – R300,000 p/a, depending on the experience of the candidate.

Suitably qualified candidates from Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are particularly invited to apply. The right not to fill this position is retained.

TO APPLY:
To apply please visit this link: https://forms.gle/FpK29snD7Cu9zSk89.

The closing date is 7 September 2025. If you do not hear from us within 14 days after the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.

15/08/2025

Big boost for Komani communal lands with hugely successful second auction 🎉

On 11 August, Meat Naturally PTY held its second auction in the Komani area of South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province, building on the efforts of its first sale in June. The auction was a hit, thanks to the hard work of the Meat Naturally team and our partner, the Olive Leaf Foundation.

The sale resulted in:
💵 Turnover: R888,300 (more than double from the first sale!)
🥇 Max price per animal: R17,000
🏅Average price per animal: R7,704
🐂Livestock sold: 115 (almost quadruple the amount in the first sale!)
🕴🏿Sellers benefitted: 42

Communities from Kamastone, Bullhoek, Zangqokwe, Mceula, Lower Didimana, Ensum, Poplar Groove, Nqobokeni, Tyldendale farm as well as Thornhill and Mitford in Ntabethemba attended. Meat Naturally is thrilled about the improved results and excited for future successful auctions in this area.

21/07/2025

Announcement: Our June newsletter is out now and it is jampacked. Why? Because we had a busy busy quarter! 🐝

We reflect on:
- Fire season: have you heard of our community-based fire management training programme? 🔥
- Mozambique auctions: our two sales - for the Banhine and Limpopo National Parks areas - saw great success ⭐️
- e-Ntsikeni auction: This was the community's first one! (spoiler alert, it went well) BirdLife South Africa 🐂
- Business Basics: Meat Naturally's new practical business training programme 📖🎓
- Public recognition: Conservation International Ventures and The Big Issue highlighted our work 💡
- We also highlight our own work - want to know HOW Meat Naturally supports farmers and communities? We mapped it out for you 🗺

Also featured: Fleece Naturally's new video, an article on red meat and nutrition security, winter support activities with MN Kruger, Meat Naturally's remaining planning for 2024/2025 📅

Available here:https://www.meatnaturallyafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Vol-3-Issue-2.3.pdf

14/07/2025

In South Africa's Eastern Cape Province, rural communal farmers strongly depend on their livestock, including as a source of income. What happens when pollution interferes with that?

In a new Daily Maverick article, Leonie Joubert explores the impact of disposable nappies on livestock market access in the Matatiele area.

In summary:
More pollution from nappies🚼☣️ -->
poorer herd health (tapeworms and malnourished)🦠 -->
farmers get bigger herds to compensate 🐂🐂🐂 -->
more soil degradation 🪨🪨=
more vulnerability to climate change and more carbon emissions ⛈🔥

“Sanitation has improved in the communal areas, but the diapers are a big issue, which is the combination of (eaten) plastic and the tapeworm cycle,” - Meat Naturally Africa's CEO Sarah Frazee explains one of the historic reasons why communal herders have battled to get into the formal meat market.

Read the full article here: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-13-piles-of-sht-communal-farmers-tackle-nappy-waste-and-the-climate-crisis-part-1/?utm_source=dm-app&utm_medium=link
To find out more about how Meat Naturally Africa is supporting market access for cattle and sheep among Africa's communal farmers, visit our website: www.meatnaturallyafrica.com

Lives depend on keeping Africa’s old-growth grasslands healthy. But a grim form of pollution in the Eastern Cape — soiled nappies — is undermining communal farmers’ ability to be good stewards of shared grazing. A simple solution shows how local action, if done at scale, will have regional a...

02/07/2025

In the closing of June, South Africa's youth month, Meat Naturally's Nontokozo MaNgomane Mdletshe was invited by Ukhozi FM to talk about running her own business part-time as a young woman (check out Sanvitalia Agric. Enteprise for more information on her business) . This inspiring woman is also employed as a KZN Training Associate at Meat Naturally. Listen to the interview to hear what Meat Naturally does, and what being a Training associate at the organisation looks like. Have you seen Nontokozo at any of our auctions?

23/06/2025

Fire season is upon us 🔥
Meat Naturally Africa's communal GRASS project is taking proactive steps to build resilience through our community-based management training programme. 👩🏿‍🏫

First, we organise a one-day preparedness session, open to all community members who are interested in protecting their community during the fire season. This hands-on training equips participants with practical skills in understanding fire behaviour and using fire protection equipment effectively to combat wildfires. 🥽

Fire management committees:
Next, selected volunteers receive 3 additional days of training to establish fire management committees. These committees are responsible for conducting risk assessments and developing fire management plans. We have seen soaring amounts of interest in the training, as nearly every community member has been impacted by wildfires, and communities are eager to develop their knowledge and skills to respond effectively to this ever-growing threat. 📖💪🏿

Firebreaks:
One of the first and most crucial activities carried out at the onset of the fire season is the construction of . Firebreaks are burnt or manually cleared strips of land (see pics for reference) designed to slow the spread of fire and provide a point to combat approaching wildfire, which protect homes, infrastructure, and valuable winter grazing areas. They play a key role in reducing the risk of large-scale damage during wildfire outbreaks. 🛖🔥🚫

Awareness:
Raising awareness is also an essential component of the GRASS programme. Educational activities are held in schools and at community gatherings to promote fire safety, increase understanding of wildfire risks, and encourage responsible behaviour. These efforts help build a culture of preparedness and resilience within the community. 🏫👨🏿‍👩🏿‍👦🏿‍👦🏿✊🏾

12/06/2025

Meat Naturally Africa is supporting the model implemented by Peace Parks Foundation and the Government of Mozambique with providing mobile livestock auctions to farmers living in and bordering Mozambique's Transfrontier Conservation Areas.

In May, a pilot sale was held in Mapai for the National Park area, which was well received by buyers and sellers. The day resulted in:
💵 Turnover: 708 800.00 MT (Mozambique Metical)
🐂 Livestock sold: 34
🕴🏿 Sellers benefitted: 9

In June, a third sale was hosted in Massingir for the National Park area, and was also met with great success. For this last sale the results were:
💵 Turnover: 951 500.00 MT
🐂 Livestock sold: 49
🕴🏿 Sellers benefitted: 25

These auctions serve as a mechanism to encourage livestock owners to participate in Herding for Health rangeland management activities which support rangeland , and we look forward to working with all stakeholders in developing them further.
Herding for Health is a joint initiative of Peace Parks Foundation and Conservation International. For more information, visit: https://www.herding4health.net/

10/06/2025

: Meat Naturally Africa continues the search for a Deputy Field Manager in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province.

The Deputy Field Manager will be responsible for assisting the Eastern Cape Provincial Field Manager in the Komani and Matatiele areas, ensuring the effective leadership, planning and monitoring of all activities and programmes that reinforce farmers' understanding and participation in Meat Naturally’s market opportunities - namely, mobile auctions, wool-shearing, and carbon finance. This includes enhancing business skills, leadership, financial management, and supporting farmers in improving livestock productivity, market access, and long-term sustainability.

About us: Meat Naturally Africa enables farmer-driven rangeland restoration by offering communal farmers in Africa livestock and carbon market access and readiness as incentives to adopt regenerative grazing practices. Visit our website for more information: https://lnkd.in/d6a2CKBE

If this position sounds like a good fit for you, apply here before 23 June: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfl1tsiPUVcYjr7FpCZVgWGyXZSZLefy1wzjOAGcJY2FU7kig/viewform

10/06/2025

Meat Naturally is : We are seeking an experienced and dynamic (CFO) to join our leadership team. As the CFO, you will play a crucial role in overseeing the development and implementation of financial management systems for our expanding business operations in South Africa, with the potential near term growth in Botswana, and Namibia. You will be responsible for ensuring the financial health and stability of the organization while driving strategic financial planning and analysis across multiple jurisdictions.

The position is ideally based in Matatiele, Eastern Cape or Boston, KwaZulu Natal, with possibility at our other offices in Dundee or Melmoth (KZN). We will consider remote work after 6-months but would then have to be willing to travel up to 20% time.
To submit your interest, please send your and an accompanying cover letter explaining your interest and requirements (financial and desired base location) to Gloria Zitha, [email protected], by the COB the 17th June 2025.

About us: Meat Naturally Africa enables farmer-driven rangeland restoration by offering communal farmers in Africa livestock and carbon market access and readiness as incentives to adopt regenerative grazing practices. Visit our website for more information: https://lnkd.in/d6a2CKBE

View the post on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4244675071/