Part 2 Sustainable Beekeeping In South Africa with Emmanuel Moledi

Unlock the secret to harnessing nature’s most misunderstood creatures — bees — and discover how they can transform your community, your environment, and your future. Emmanuel Moledi, a passionate beekeeper, reveals the surprising truths about African honeybees and how misconceptions have held back a vital ecological and economic opportunity. This episode is a wake-up call for farmers, educators, and entrepreneurs eager to create a resilient, bee-friendly future.

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Transcript

Kabelo (00:00)
tell us a little bit about the bees that you have in your operation. Are you working with African honeybees? I read that there's different varieties. yeah, tell me, which ones do you work with?

Emmanuel Moledi (00:00)
Mm-hmm.

Yeah, yeah.

Kabelo (00:14)
And yes, what has surprised you about those ones that you keep?

Emmanuel Moledi (00:19)
so there are two different types of honey bees here in South Africa. So we have one in the Cape region and one more towards the rest of South Africa. So the ones which in the rest of South Africa are the African honey bees.

Kabelo (00:25)
Mm-hmm.

Emmanuel Moledi (00:36)
And then and then ⁓ on the western side, it's called the Cape yeah, the Cape bee So ⁓ they're actually very different. the Cape B is a bit darker than the the one in in the southern regions. they are more ⁓ they're more

Kabelo (00:37)
Yeah, yeah, I know.

Emmanuel Moledi (00:53)
⁓ relaxed, they're not as aggressive as the African bee. And yeah, they I think they can also the female workers can actually reproduce eggs. They can actually lay eggs. I think that's another difference compared to the African one which the the queen does all the laying. So the ⁓ what we use is the African ⁓ honey bee which is more aggressive.

Kabelo (01:06)
Hmm.

Okay.

Emmanuel Moledi (01:17)
They usually sometimes give it a bad name, they call it a African killer bee. But ⁓ yeah. It definitely does. It definitely is. And I've heard cases where a pe people have died from bee attacks. So they are very capable of that as well. ⁓ I think that's another side to it that ⁓ that makes people or

Kabelo (01:22)
Hence it's tongue-new, it's living up to its name, isn't it?

Amen.

no.

Emmanuel Moledi (01:45)
maybe people in our community not to want to enter into beekeeping because of the dangers of them being able to kill. Yeah.

Kabelo (01:54)
Yeah,

I think it's a very important point that you bring across I mean, now I have a little bit more knowledge, obviously, going through school and everything that bee pollinators and they help with, you know, an essential part of security. But I'm always just like, I'm terrified of bees, generally. All I think about is just how they're going to sting me and I'm going to die. So I think

Emmanuel Moledi (02:05)
Yes.

Yeah.

You think yeah, yeah, yeah.

Kabelo (02:17)
You're quite right in touching on this ⁓ perception that we have in the black community and that's probably why that there isn't so many black beekeepers, so to speak, especially in the region like you kind of brought that up. Okay, so that's interesting. You've already also told me that pesticides are a big no-no. And you also told me that with your specific bees, they tend to...

Emmanuel Moledi (02:27)
Yes, yes.

Yes.

Kabelo (02:42)
be exposed to pesticides just in the surrounding area. So what do you think then for the broader agricultural landscape in your region, but maybe also the whole of South Africa, what do you think our relationship should be between, you know, like bees, hives and agricultural landscape in general? What do you think we should, what cultural shift do you think we should have is maybe?

what I'm trying to get at.

Emmanuel Moledi (03:11)
yeah. I think I'd say more education. I think we need to educate ⁓ people so what I'm currently doing now is I'm working with the school Motheo s to do more more things like facilitations where I go there, I teach students

let them know about the risks, what not to do. So I think the next step is also now to go to farms and educate them about pesticides and the use of pesticides. ⁓ and also educate them how bees can aid in the the yield production as well. So I think it's more towards education,

Kabelo (03:43)
Hmm.

Emmanuel Moledi (03:53)
yeah, I think more education would would go a long way 'cause like like we were just touching on right now, people have this idea, bees sting, bees do this. So they're not properly educated about the good things that bees can bring. And even farmers don't they don't really think about I know before I never really thought about bees, like you know, like yeah.

Kabelo (04:09)
you

Mmm.

Emmanuel Moledi (04:16)
I don't I just don't want weeds so I'm gonna put pesticides. yeah, yeah, so it's so education of pesticides as well for farmers. So yeah, basically just education. And I think what can also be improved in terms of companies is coming up with ⁓ how can I say it, bee friendly type

Kabelo (04:21)
Exactly.

Emmanuel Moledi (04:38)
pesticide that can be widely used rather than using

Kabelo (04:40)
Okay. That's great. You're

already giving somebody an innovative solution. I like that.

Emmanuel Moledi (04:47)
Right, right.

So yeah, that's something that can someone can jump into and actually make use of 'cause it would go yeah, it's something that's needed. I I feel like it's one of those yeah. Yeah.

Kabelo (04:54)
Yeah.

Hmm. Yeah,

that's really great. I want to reel in a little bit and talk about the youth because we need to educate like you've already touched on a lot more education. How do we get people in in this space? You know, tell us a little bit. Maybe you can touch on the barriers to entry, but maybe tell us like what channels do exist that young people can exploit or explore?

Emmanuel Moledi (05:10)
Mm.

in terms of channels, I think the best way to get people or bring awareness is to go to the people. So going to the people is for me ⁓ where they can be gathered. Like like I said, your schools one the education programs where we go to different school educate

⁓ the youth even from like a young age so that maybe one you can touch one or two lives of kids growing up knowing hey I know more about bees they're not afraid they can get into that varsities you p there is a lot of entrepreneurial activity rising in South Africa. We can also ⁓ shape how they they think and

they they are able to know more about these things, maybe even organizations that ⁓ maybe do fund or help with certain programs. So ⁓ I think ⁓ yeah it's just going to the people and actually putting this in their face and being like, hey, this is what's happening and this is what we need to do. Because yes, we do have social media

People do see a few things now and then, but I mean, we as we know, social media goes on what you look at and what you're interested in. So I think with the bee thing, it just needs to be in their face. So yeah. Yeah, yeah.

Kabelo (06:32)
Mmm.

Yeah.

No, for sure. You talk about funding

opportunities. In your knowledge, there any like, I know you've already spoken on the different training that is available. You talked about Motheo offering this, but do you know of any funding opportunities that people can explore?

Emmanuel Moledi (06:49)
Yeah.

Mm-hmm.

honestly there is no ⁓ funding opportunities that's specifically for beekeeping. Right. So I think that's another thing that can improve in terms of the agricultural landscape. but I have been a beneficiary of funding. I think with South Africa, ⁓ most people are discouraged when it comes to funding.

Kabelo (07:11)
Okay.

Emmanuel Moledi (07:25)
But I think ⁓ institutions that lend money or give money, they really just need compliance. They you just have to have good books, compliance, so that when they audit or give money they know okay, we gave it to a proper business. but also it's not it's easier said than done, you know. So funding there is funding available for different ⁓

Kabelo (07:31)
Good.

Hmm.

Yeah.

Emmanuel Moledi (07:47)
enterprise enterprises 'cause there is I know recently the government ⁓ is investing around three million or billion in helping small ⁓ SMEs and young ⁓ people. but to say specifically for beekeeping, no there isn't. So I think there's still a a really huge gap.

Kabelo (08:05)
Okay.

Emmanuel Moledi (08:08)
And also this is where I come back to education. Also meaning the people ⁓ at the higher end also need to be educated as well.

Kabelo (08:08)
Mm.

Hmm.

Yeah, so that they all see how all of this is important and is connected. But you were, what's the story with ABSA? Was that one of your funders or how does that work?

Emmanuel Moledi (08:18)
Yeah.

Yes.

Okay, the story

Yes, yes, yes. So I was a beneficiary of the they call it a CSI program. So what they do ⁓ is ⁓ as ABSA they have to give they they give back. so what they do is they work with either NPOs or NGOs. So they worked with this other NPO which supports ⁓ what's this small small businesses.

So there was a competition in twenty twenty four for young the institute is the young African institute. yeah, what they do is they go around the country, you come there, you pitch your business and then they would top choose a top thirty. they would choose actually fifty and then you guys compete to be top thirty and then in that top thirty you get mentorship and business coach.

Kabelo (08:52)
Mm-hmm.

Emmanuel Moledi (09:15)
and ⁓ you you get access to funding so ⁓ i was very fortunate to go throughout all the rounds until the final stage so ⁓ i managed to land myself in the top thirty so ⁓ yeah yeah ⁓ so being part of the top thirty then upsa funded them to fund us so I was funded around a hundred thousand which

Kabelo (09:19)
Anyway.

Wow.

Emmanuel Moledi (09:41)
helped boost my business so greatly. Like so yes, with ABSA recently they had a conference which I was invited to ⁓ and they wanted to spotlight my business as part of like I said the CSI program through the other institute. So yeah, like I can say fully that ABSA has definitely helped my business and I hope obviously in the future

Kabelo (09:44)
down.

Mm-hmm.

Emmanuel Moledi (10:07)
they can still continue that support. so yeah, that's my story with ABSA

Kabelo (10:11)
No, that's really inspiring. And I think it's also something that people listening to this young or otherwise can really be inspired to say that if you have a good idea and you put yourself out there, somebody's going to see just the kind of work that you're doing and you're going to be greatly rewarded for it. And I think that's great. But we need to wrap up so that I don't keep you on for too long.

Emmanuel Moledi (10:32)
Okay. Okay.

Kabelo (10:34)
What's the one thing that you wish people understood about bees or just generally anything that you kind of want to tell us about bees before we let you go?

Emmanuel Moledi (10:44)
Okay, ⁓ I'd like to say bees are very friendly creatures. obviously th it's like don't mess with them 'cause you know what's what they're capable of. But at the same time they're very very friendly. ⁓ if ever you find yourself with around a bee or bees around you, the best thing to do is to stay calm. Stay calm. It does work.

Kabelo (10:54)
and

Does that really work though?

Emmanuel Moledi (11:06)
It's just your level of calmness. It works it Yeah. Yeah. like the more gentle you are, the less aggressive they are. So ⁓ when you approach by a bee, literally just be still. Be still. Even if you feel it touching your skin, maybe you can just gently move it away, but don't be rough.

Kabelo (11:07)
Okay.

Okay, you're the expert if you say so.

Okay.

Hmm.

Emmanuel Moledi (11:31)
tip that can save someone. It's just just just be gentle and yeah

Kabelo (11:33)
Hmm.

think bees, sorry,

now you short, like what has bees taught you about sustainability or about life? Cause I think what you just said about if a bee comes, just be still, that for me is such a great life lesson, you know, but tell me, tell me what you think bees have taught you about sustainability or just life in general.

Emmanuel Moledi (11:38)
It's okay.

honestly, bees have taught me first of all to always be gentle and calm. in terms of their structure in a hive, I think I like the way they structure and move things. Very great lessons for one to implement such structures that they have created ⁓ to put into your life.

like there is a certain high ranking, like so basically in life if ever you have an authority or something, just follow your instruction, do your work. you know, always stay in line. always they're always working. I'm not saying now we should work like they do, but just do your work, just stay focused.

just be structured. Yeah, that's the word. Just be structured in everything you do and all things will come right. And yeah, another thing about bees that taught me is I don't have to find myself now really searching for bees, they just come lately. So another thing about life, yeah, just just just relax. ⁓ if you're doing the right thing.

Kabelo (12:37)
Yeah.

Emmanuel Moledi (12:56)
things good things will come to you and yeah and I also the one important thing that I definitely need to mention this is just also for any young entrepreneur starting any business really what changed what changed the game for me is ⁓ I used to make you know obviously I started the business I'm the founder

Kabelo (12:58)
right?

Yes. ⁓

Emmanuel Moledi (13:18)
I'm the CEO, I am this, I am this, right? ⁓ yeah, I'm everything. So I learned to now remove that mentality. and actually be like, okay. you know what? I'm a praying person. So I'm like, okay, God, this is your business. So if this is your business, I'm your servant. So as your servant, lead me to places where you want me to go.

Kabelo (13:18)
Hmm.

You're everything.

Emmanuel Moledi (13:40)
And what I'm doing is for you and saving your bees and population. So in that way, when I become a servant and it's not like about me, me, me, me, I don't have as much stress because now I'm being led. So it becomes so easy for me to do things without having too much pressure. Like there's certain things or certain deals I can go like, it's not it's not in accordance to what I'm doing.

because I'm not chasing I'm not even chasing money. It's just how I c how can I be of service to some degree. Obviously money still will come, but it's not entirely about money. Like I said now, I realized it's not about honey. It's actually about sustainability of the bees and the environment. So yeah, I think those would be my last closing words that

Kabelo (14:08)
Hmm.

and

Yeah, I you're tapped in. I like that. I like that a lot. It's about being of service and really just seeing how the work that you're doing is, yeah, it's way bigger than you. And I think that's now I'm to start preaching. So I'm going to let you go. I think that thank you so much, Emmanuel, for taking the time and really for sharing your work with us with so much honesty.

Emmanuel Moledi (14:34)
Yeah.

Yes, yeah. Yes.

Kabelo (14:56)
and reminding us that sustainability isn't just a word in a corporate report. You can actually do something about it on the ground. So thank you so much. tell us, where can people find you and follow your work or reach out if they're interested in buying your honey or solliciting your services?

Emmanuel Moledi (15:02)
Yes, yes.

⁓ so currently I'm still working on a website, so for now they can catch me on Instagram and Facebook at Bemo Bees yeah, on Instagram and Facebook. I think there's a link to my WhatsApp on my bio. This is where you can click the link, go in and you can check my catalog and order. And once you order we do deliveries. So yes, and also if you need ⁓

be removal services. My numbers are there as well so people can contact me or if they just want to have a general chat, I'm still available on those ⁓ platforms. And also I'll just like to say thank you, thank you so much for ⁓ giving me this time and platform for me to be able to ⁓ talk about my experiences and knowledge about beekeeping. So thank you so much. really appreciate it.

Kabelo (16:09)
Absolutely! Alright then, all the best and we wish you great things only!

Emmanuel Moledi (16:15)
Awesome. Awesome. No, thank

Kabelo (16:18)
This has been the Candid Sustainability Podcast. I am Kabelo Rathobei and thank you for listening to this episode. Remember to leave a review wherever you listen to your podcast and share this episode with somebody who needs to hear it. Alright, see you on the next one.