Rainbow Poultry Company marks 60 years with flourishing future

SOUTH AFRICA – South African poultry processing company, Rainbow, recently commemorated its remarkable 60-year journey with a grand event held in Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal.

This milestone celebration honored Rainbow’s enduring commitment to shaping the poultry processing sector.

A significant highlight of the event was the announcement of the revival of the second operational shift at Rainbow’s prestigious Hammarsdale P2 processing plant.

This strategic move signaled a significant step forward for the company and was closely linked to the Poultry Sector Master Plan—a visionary blueprint encompassing investments, job creation, poultry exports, and support for contract growers.

Rainbow reiterated its dedication to expanding and catalyzing growth within the poultry industry.

Rainbow’s substantial investment of R220 million in the P2 Processing plant expansion, supported by an additional R400 million from contract growers, involved an extensive overhaul of the supply and production chain in the KwaZulu-Natal region.

This included the construction of 120 new broiler houses, hatchery improvements, installation of advanced cooling systems, processing facility upgrades, and the creation of state-of-the-art freezer units.

In 2017, Rainbow had to scale back its operations at Hammarsdale P2 due to external challenges, resulting in the retrenchment of approximately 1,350 employees.

However, with the recent expansion, Rainbow has reinstated around 750 jobs, with plans to create an additional 100 jobs by June next year.

Marthinus Stander, Rainbow’s Managing Director, stressed the importance of the Poultry Master Plan in building capacity, boosting chicken demand, expanding exports, promoting transformation, and involving previously marginalized farmers and stakeholders.

 He reaffirmed Rainbow’s commitment to community empowerment, job creation, and contributing to South Africa’s comprehensive growth.

Stander also highlighted Rainbow’s partnership with the Do More Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing over 18.5 million meals annually, demonstrating Rainbow’s commitment to social impact and community welfare.

In a keynote address, Minister Patel expressed his unwavering commitment to the Poultry Master Plan, emphasizing the importance of a sustainable local economy and GDP growth. He commended Rainbow for its resilience and optimistic spirit.

Minister Didiza, originally from Hammarsdale, emphasized the need for funding to support contract growers and infrastructure development.

She praised Rainbow’s determination in adhering to its turnaround plan, noting that “tough times never last, but tough people do.”

As part of the anniversary celebration, Rainbow KwaZulu-Natal director Mooketsi Ncube unveiled a chicken statue crafted by a local artisan, symbolizing the company’s deep roots in the community.

Rainbow’s alignment with the Poultry Master Plan reaffirmed its pivotal role as a driving force within the poultry industry, promising a prosperous future.

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