BestBusiness.co.za Cleaver Awards
The BestBusiness.co.za Cleaver Awards are South Africa’s premier recognition platform for butcheries that excel in quality, hygiene, service, and innovation.
- Introduction
The BestBusiness.co.za Cleaver Awards are South Africa’s premier recognition platform for butcheries that excel in quality, hygiene, service, and innovation.
For over 21 years, the Cleaver Awards have set the benchmark for excellence in the meat industry, earning the trust of consumers, respect of professionals, and admiration of the trade.
Today, they stand as the symbol of credibility, consistency, and craft in South Africa’s meat sector.
- The Story of the Cleaver Awards
Founded: 2004.
Purpose: To recognise and reward butcheries that go above and beyond in delivering quality and service to South African consumers.
Administered by: BestBusiness.co.za
Endorsed by: Leading industry associations and partners
From humble beginnings, the Cleaver Awards have grown into a national movement of excellence — uplifting industry standards and inspiring thousands of independent and retail butcheries.
- What the Cleaver Awards Stand For
Quality: Butcheries that sell the finest sourced meat and complimentary products.
Hygiene: Stores that uphold the highest standards of world class cleanliness.
Service: Butchers who offer expert advice, friendliness, and care.
Value: Fair value for money pricing that reflects honesty and integrity.
Innovation: Creative presentation, products, and customer experience.
Every Cleaver Award winner becomes part of a legacy of excellence — a Titan of the Trade.
- A Legacy of Impact
For nearly two decades, the Cleaver Awards have:
- Raised the bar for quality and hygiene across South Africa’s butcheries.
- Empowered small and large retailers to benchmark against national best practices.
- Enhanced consumer trust in locally sourced, quality-assured meat and complimentary products.
- United the industry from farmers and suppliers to retailers and discerning consumers.
- Built pride and recognition for Butchers who are the heartbeat of their communities.
These Awards have become the gold standard in South African meat retailing.
- The Reach & Scale
Years running: 21 years of continuous excellence
Butcheries reached: More than 6,400 nationwide
Provincial footprint: Across all 9 provinces
Categories:
- Small Butcheries
- Large Butcheries
- Supermarkets and Butchery Counters
- Township & Main Market Butcheries
Each year, South Africans cast their votes to celebrate their favourite butcheries — turning the Awards into a national people’s choice celebration of excellence.
- The Butchery Advantage
Winning a Cleaver Award transforms a butchery’s business with –
- Instant credibility — trusted by consumers nationwide.
- Increased foot traffic and sales.
- Employee pride and stronger team culture.
- Media coverage and community recognition.
- Eligibility for national supply and targetted promotional campaigns through BestBusiness.co.za.
As one winner said:
“A Cleaver Award isn’t just a trophy — it’s a promise of excellence to every customer who walks through our door.”
- Industry Influence
The Cleaver Awards positively influences every level of the meat industry:
Encourages training and upskilling of butchers and apprentices.
Motivating innovation in packaging, presentation, and product lines.
Strengthening relationships between suppliers, retailers, and consumers.
“The place where the Best buy the Best from the Best.”
- BestBusiness.co.za: Powering the Future
The custodians, BestBusiness.co.za, are transforming the Cleaver Awards into a modern independent profitable mutually rewarding ecosystem of recognition and connection.
Digital transformation: Online nomination and voting platforms.
The Book of Titans: A premium collector’s edition featuring South Africa’s top butcheries.
“Pop Up and Profit” programme: Bringing suppliers’ products directly into award-winning butcheries.
Data-driven insights: Connecting brands, butcheries, and customers like never before.
The future of the BestBusiness.co.za Cleaver Awards is interactive, inclusive, and industry-shaping.
- The Book of Titans
Each year, the top butcheries are immortalised in The Book of Titans — a beautifully presented volume personally delivered to South Africa’s leading butcheries.
It’s a celebration of excellence — a chronicle of the country’s top meat merchants.
Every page tells a story of craft, care, and consistency — and every brand featured alongside them shares in that prestige.
- Testimonials
“Winning a Cleaver Award has changed how customers see us — it’s a badge of honour.”
— Leon Slabbert – Cuyler Butchery
“The Cleaver Awards have lifted standards across the industry. They make excellence visible.”
— Dave Ford – CEO of SA Feedlot Association.
“To be recognised by your customers and peers — that’s the ultimate reward.”
— John Morte Impala Butchery
- The Power of Partnership
For brands, suppliers, and sponsors, the BestBusiness.co.za Cleaver Awards is a highly respected, trusted and powerful gateway into South Africa’s most trusted food retail sector.
Partnership means:
Aligning with the highest standards of quality and trust.
Gaining direct access to butcheries and decision-makers nationwide.
Enjoying brand visibility in a respected, values-driven environment.
The Cleaver Awards are where business meets excellence.
- The Next Chapter
As the Cleaver Awards enter their third decade, the mission is clear:
To recognise the Best and keep South African butcheries world-class.
Where The Best Consumers insist on buying the Best Products and Services from the Best Ranked Businesses all supplied from the very Best of the Best Distributors and Manufacturers.
Through BestBusiness.co.za, innovation and industry connections, the Awards will continue to evolve, ensuring that excellence is celebrated and shared.
The BestBusiness.co.za Cleaver Awards
Celebrating the people, products, and passion that feed a nation.
“The place where the Best buy the Best from the Best.”
