Kappy The Original Butchery Battles to Survive Amid FMD Outbreak

Kappy The Original Butchery Battles to Survive Amid FMD Outbreak. In the wake of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, most butcheries in Lobatse have shut their doors, but Kappy The Original remains one of the few still operational, striving to stay afloat despite mounting challenges.

Business owner Kappy Sebolao revealed that the outbreak has severely disrupted operations, particularly after cattle movement restrictions were imposed. With no ability to slaughter cattle for sale, the butchery has been forced to source fresh meat from the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) to keep business going.

While this measure has allowed the butchery to continue serving customers, Sebolao noted that it has significantly increased stock prices. The higher costs have translated into steeper prices for consumers, leaving the business with little profit margin.

“The outbreak has negatively affected us. We are trying to avoid laying off staff, but if restrictions continue, I don’t see the business surviving beyond six months,” Sebolao said.

Kappy The Original employs nine staff members, and Sebolao emphasized his determination to protect jobs despite the financial strain. However, he acknowledged that the situation remains precarious, with sustainability dependent on how long restrictions remain in place.

The FMD outbreak has had a ripple effect across the meat industry, with butcheries closing and communities facing limited access to affordable fresh meat. For businesses like Kappy The Original, survival now hinges on resilience and adaptation in the face of uncertainty.

The story of Kappy The Original highlights the broader impact of animal health crises on local economies, livelihoods, and food supply chains, underscoring the urgent need for solutions that balance disease control with economic sustainability.