South Africa’s honey industry is facing an undersupply crisis, but one North West woman is determined to change that. Meet Makhotso “Mems” Ramaila, a candidate attorney-turned-beekeeper who is making a profound impact in South Africa with her thriving honey business.
The demand for honey in South Africa far outweighs the supply. According to Agri Farming, South Africa produces about 2000 tons of honey per year, however, the demand is for around 3000 tons per year.
Mems’ journey began in 2019 in Brits, North-West. She had been growing lucerne on her field when a swarm of bees arrived and never left. Mems had a fascination with them and began researching bees. That’s when she fell in love and dived into the beekeeping world.
“There is an abundant forest resource in South Africa. This can be harnessed for beekeeping and many jobs can be created especially for rural women and youth. We should not have to depend on exports. We can make our own honey,” said Mems.
In 2020, she established her beekeeping farm, Bee African, and provides a range of products including pure honey, creamed honey, and immune-boosting honey. She also recently added Linden honey to her line. Her one-stop shop also manufactures the beehives and protective bee suits, and Mems has a footprint in Gauteng and Limpopo as well. She has also been gaining popularity with enquiries from London, UK.
Mems has adopted a progressive climate change approach in her business, and further practices circularity thanks to Fetola’s Circular Economy Accelerator program that she attended. To this end, nothing goes to waste, and all materials are used.
Among the waste are offcuts from the beehives that are used to make corporate wooden gift hampers. Sawdust from the sanded timber make up the bottom of the hampers and it is also used as compost for plants that are included in the gift. Customers are encouraged to reuse the compost in their gardens.
But that’s not where it ends. Mems’ vision goes beyond selling honey. She is committed to opening up the beekeeping sector by creating employment for rural youth and women. She has five employees so far and her brother, Lebogang Ramaila, a fashion designer, manufactures the bee suits.
Bee African also offers beekeeping training to all, but there is a focus on school-going learners to fill the biodiversity knowledge gap. “We need to catch them young for sustainability,” said Mems.
Since entering the industry, Mems’ journey has not been easy. There were a few bee stings here and there, but her major challenges lay in beehive vandalism and theft of honey. But despite this, Mems has managed to build a sustainable business.
Her commitment to job creation and transforming the beekeeping sector in South Africa is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship to effect positive change. As a result, she became the recipient of the coveted 2022 South African Women Entrepreneurship Climate Change Award.
Her story is powerful because it is a reminder of the impact one person can have on an entire country.
This article was first published in Brits Bots
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Makhotso “Mems” Ramaila is a participant on Fetola’s Circular Economy Accelerator (CEA), a sustainability growth solution which empowers South African entrepreneurs to build successful, environmentally-sound businesses, in partnership with J.P. Morgan, the Embassy of Finland in Pretoria and Nedbank.
