A RELATIONSHIP BUILT ON RESPECT

THOUGHTFULLY SOURCED MEAT

Wild Kalahari works with ethical, regenerative farmers who raise pasture-fed, free-range beef, mutton and venison. Their meat is supplied to respected restaurants and delis across South Africa and is cut, dry-aged and cured with patience and care.

What makes this meat special is its purity. There are no chemical stimulants, routine antibiotics or mass-produced supplements. Animals live as they should, grazing freely on natural pastures and reaching maturity at their own pace. The result is honest, nourishing meat with depth of flavour and a clear sense of place.

FROM THE KALAHARI TO SWELLENDAM

Wild Kalahari is led by Jacques van der Merwe, a third-generation farmer who grew up on his family’s land in the Kalahari. That upbringing shaped a deep respect for animal welfare and responsible land use, values that continue to guide his work today.

Now based in Swellendam, Jacques runs a small artisanal butchery grounded in a back-to-basics approach. As both farmer and butcher, he understands that healthy land leads to healthy animals and better food on the plate.

THE CRAFT OF DRY-AGEING

Dry-ageing is central to the Wild Kalahari process. This traditional method, passed down through Jacques’s family, allows meat to rest in a carefully controlled environment. As moisture slowly evaporates, natural enzymes tenderise the muscle and flavour deepens.

Over time, the meat develops rich, layered notes that are earthy, nutty and gently smoky. It is a slow process that cannot be rushed, and one that only a small number of artisan butcheries in South Africa still practice using truly free-range meat.

REGENERATIVE AND FULLY TRACEABLE

The farmers Wild Kalahari works with farm holistically, using rotational grazing that allows the land to recover naturally. This approach supports long-term soil health, animal wellbeing and resilient ecosystems.

Because Jacques has farmed himself, these relationships are personal. Every animal is fully traceable to its source. Farms are visited regularly, conversations are open, and accountability is shared. This level of transparency matters deeply to us.

WHY IT MATTERS TO US

Food should nourish more than the body. It should reflect care, responsibility and respect for the world we are part of.

Working with Wild Kalahari allows us to serve meat that aligns with these values. It is food with integrity, prepared with skill and offered with intention. For us, that makes all the difference.

If you would like to learn more about Wild Kalahari and their approach to mindful meat, visit
https://www.kalahariwild.co.za

You can also follow their journey on Facebook and Instagram at @wildkalahari