The project, co-funded by the Department of Labour through the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and the Industrial Development Co-operation (IDC), will see almost R130m pumped into creating jobs and rural growth within the province.
The abattoir created 1,047 jobs for locals from Reitz and communities nearby.
"This is the story of how, under difficult circumstances including the economic recession, the people of Reitz were able to turn this abattoir into an economic and social success," said President Jacob Zuma. He visited the abattoir last week.
"The increased production is not the secret to the project's success. What makes this project a great success is that the employees are also beneficiaries of a 23.1% stake in the abattoir," said Granfield's managing director Sas Kasselman.
"This makes the project's achievements a personal success for the beneficiaries as well. It creates a social responsibility among employees," he claimed.
"Job growth and skills development is extremely crucial for the growth of any project of this magnitude. We ensure that employees on various levels are trained and they in turn share their training and transfer skills to their fellow workers. It is a continuous learning environment," said Kasselman.
One employee, who has transcended the programme in just a year and a half, is Adolphina Mojatau a forty-year old, mother of two, formerly from Bloemfontein. She is a quality supervisor at the abattoir.
"I am very proud of what I have achieved and I am grateful to be able to work on a project that ensures the best quality for our consumers,"Mojatau said.
She says that on a typical day at the abattoir, almost 50,000 chickens are checked by the day shift, and again at night, another 50,000 are inspected.
"My team makes sure that every chicken that enters our receiving bay undergoes an anti-mortem. This is where we check that the chickens have no diseases, and they are healthy for consumer consumption. It is a tough job, but we have to ensure that South Africans get the best quality product on the shelves," she said proudly.
To date Mojatau has completed various training programmes for Health and Safety, Food Safety Management, Hazard Training, Meat Inspection and Examination and Internal Auditing and Admininsitration. She is also an Internal Training Officer, who shares her story with new employees.
"In such a short time, I have been promoted three times. This is not a company that one enters as a general worker and stays put for years at that level. The opportunity for growth is endless. That is what motivates me, and allows me to inspire others working here," said Mojatau.
According to Mojatau, many South Africans, especially those in the rural areas do not know much about the poultry industry and the opportunities it can create.
"Government is providing so many opportunities, but people cannot sit back and wait for a job to fall into their laps, they must be active and open to new challenges," she says.
Granfield supplies local and neighbouring markets and national stores, including Pick 'n Pay and Shoprite.
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