Richard Manzini has taken on the role of CEO at Daybreak Farms, replacing Matshela Seshibe, who was suspended a year ago.
- Daybreak Farms aims to recover from a series of challenges, including avian flu, limited power supply, and escalating feed costs, which impacted the company in 2023.
- Manzini’s qualifications include a B.Bus.Science (UCT), LLB (Unisa), MBA (Wits), MMFI (Wits), and MSc (UP), making him a well-rounded strategic leader.
- Manzini is described by the company as a “corporate farmer” and a “tough and resilient strategist.”
- The focus of the new leadership is to establish Daybreak Farms as a reliable partner in the sector, address historical mismanagement and corruption, and rebuild the company’s corporate image.
- Daybreak Farms faced controversies involving the misappropriation of funds and procurement irregularities, leading to the dismissal of the former CEO. However, subsequent investigations cleared the former CEO of any wrongdoing.
- Manzini aims to position Daybreak Farms as an employer of choice and enhance its preparedness for the volatility of the poultry sector’s operating environment.