By Nokwazi Ngcongo
Daybreak Farms, one of the largest integrated poultry producers in South Africa, is pleased to announce the appointment of an esteemed investment professional and ethical leader, Richard Manzini, as its Chief Executive Officer with effect from 01 January 2024. Mr Manzini has a solid background in developing investee companies on behalf of the Public Investment Corporation SOC Limited (PIC), which ranks amongst the best, and most successful asset management firms in the world, and by far, the largest in Africa.
Chairperson of Daybreak Farms, Ms Vuyelwa Matsiliza says: “Mr Manzini is an astute business leader with an impeccable track record in driving key investments in the agricultural landscape.
He comes into Daybreak, at a time that the poultry sector is besieged with a myriad of challenges, including the devastating impacts of Avian Influenza, limited power supply and escalating feed costs. The mammoth task to turn around an entity in the prevailing operating environment requires a brave character and the expertise of a well-rounded strategic leader with a deep understanding
of the South African poultry landscape and its contribution to food security,” she says, adding that “Manzini is the perfect fit for the role, having contributed to significant stability and growth in the sector in the recent past.”
Manzini has an acute understanding of the industry. He is a tough and resilient strategist and experienced executive. He holds a skills mix of what most in the sector refer to as a corporate farmer; with an inclination to spend most of his days in the plants and or on the farms.
His qualifications include: a B.Bus.Science (UCT), LLB (Unisa), MBA (Wits), MMFI (Wits), MSc (UP). He is accordingly well placed to reposition Daybreak Farms to stand amongst the best in the sector, lead its growth path with excellence and ensuring an impactful business.
Manzini noted: “Daybreak’s corporate image is marred with negative media, however these
reports relate to historical mismanagement, corruption and malfeasance. The current board is addressing these matters in the ordinary course within the applicable legal framework.
“As a leadership team, our focus, is to embed Daybreak Farms in the sector and amongst its peers as a reliable partner, one that delivers quality chicken and food products to its customers across the country. Importantly, we aspire to become an employer of choice; to embody ethics across our operations and to better prepare ourselves for the volatility that comes with our operating environment,” he says.
He concluded: “Daybreak has to prioritise fulfilling its investment mandate to advance
transformation in the agriculture industry, one of the least transformed sectors in the country. Job creation and preservation, production of quality affordable protein to improve South Africa’s food security, and creating meaningful economic platforms to address poverty in our host communities,
are key to our success.”
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For more information contact:
Email: Nokwazi.Ngcongo@daybreak.co.za
Cell: 0768760151