Tshwaro Ntaolang was born and raised in Mothistad, a township located near Kuruman. Coming from a family of three children, Tshwaro is the youngest and was raised by a single parent. Armed with only a matric, he had dreams of becoming an engineer, but financial constraints didn’t allow this.
Like so many who come from similar challenging circumstances, it may be easy to imagine that Tshwaro would have been destined for a life with few opportunities, unable to break the cycle of poverty. But nothing could be further from the truth, thanks to the belief and faith placed in him by Beefmaster Group 18 years ago when he landed his first job in the deboning department.
“In a short period, I quickly mastered the technical skills required for meat cutting, a task that typically takes months to learn. I was fascinated by my new job,” says Tshwaro.
As a casual worker without prior abattoir experience, he demonstrated exceptional learning ability and quickly became a top meat cutter in less than a month. Within five months, he was promoted to a supervisor position, and after a year, he managed the deboning cutting department as a floor manager. After five years, he became a department manager overseeing both deboning cutting and dispatching departments. Five years ago, Tshwaro was entrusted with the responsibility of managing the entire daily operation of all abattoir productions, from slaughtering to packaging and dispatching. As the Operational Manager for beef and offal production, he now oversees a team of over 500 employees.
In this role, Tshwaro ensures the success and efficiency of Beefmaster Group’s operations. He coordinates and oversees production, planning, and quality control. Additionally, he plays a vital role in staff recruitment and mentoring.
But his journey wasn’t always easy.
“There were some challenges along the way, including physically demanding work, long hours, and language barriers. However, through hard work, determination, and the supportive culture within the company, I overcame these obstacles,” he says, highlighting the positive and supportive aspects of the company, including access to onsite medical facilities for employees’ healthcare needs.
“We are very lucky to have a management team who works tirelessly to find new ways to grow the business. This helps with long term job security.”
He emphasises the company’s attitude towards teamwork.
“We always find ways to overcome our challenges, by working together. Team work is very important for us.”
Beefmaster Group invested in Tshwaro’s professional development by providing various training opportunities, short courses, and mentorship programs. His continuous learning and skill development were fostered through his pairing with capable and experienced managers for training and mentoring.
“Looking forward, I envision furthering studies through the company’s bursary programme, and aiming for more senior positions within the company. I see opportunities for growth and believe that Beefmaster Group will support me in achieving my goals,” says Tshwaro.
Tshwaro’s message for others who may find themselves in difficult circumstances is clear: First, believe in yourself, and then, find someone who believes in you to help you reach for the stars. Together, you can soar to new heights and make your dreams a reality.
*PRESS RELEASE
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