Beneficiaries of a newly launched beekeeping project in Zeerust, North West, are set to benefit from training in hive management, bee health, and harvesting, among other skills.
“We believe that once our small farmers are properly equipped, they will not only produce for subsistence, but also for local and regional markets. Women and young people in particular will be supported with starter kits, mentorship, and access to finance,” Lolo Moeketsi, director of the Beekeeping Project, outlined the scope of the initiative.
MEC for Agriculture Madoda Sambatha hailed the project, saying it is far more than bees and hives.
“It is about dignity, enterprise, and opportunity. We are investing in people who were left out of the mainstream, equipping them with skills and the means to create their own futures. For us, supporting SMEs in agriculture is central to transforming communities,” Sambatha said.
He said beekeeping offers dual benefits, as it strengthens local ecosystems through pollination and opens income streams in honey production, wax processing and other value-added by-products.
Thandi Maseko, an entrepreneur from Zeerust, said the project gives her a chance to learn, to earn, and to build something sustainable for her family.
Johann Mokoena, another emerging beekeeper, said the infrastructure and market support element is crucial.
“Often we have the skills, but struggle because we can’t access equipment, or we don’t know what standards buyers expect. Now someone is walking with us, not just pointing,” Mokoena commented.
The Beekeeping Project has also committed to environmental best practice. Participants are taught about hive placement, bee health, natural forage preservation, and sustainable harvesting.
According to project documentation, these methods help ensure that bee populations thrive, crop pollination improves, and community gardens benefit.
Departmental sources confirmed that several hundred hives and starter kits will be distributed over the coming months, along with training modules and a mentorship network.
