Women in Beekeeping: Empowering Rural Communities
This article is part of our complete guide to Starting Beekeeping in South Africa.
Across South Africa, more women are entering beekeeping as a tool for income, empowerment, and community development.
Whether through formal training or local mentorship, female beekeepers are helping to diversify the agricultural economy and build resilience in rural households.
This article explores how women participate in beekeeping and where support is available to help them succeed.
Why Beekeeping Works for Women
- Low start-up cost and land requirements
- Can be done part-time alongside caregiving or farming
- Promotes local food security and nutrition
- Enables group formation for co-ops or shared marketing
Challenges Women Often Face
- Limited access to training or male-dominated spaces
- Difficulty in securing land or hive placement rights
- Low confidence in handling bees without mentorship
- Safety concerns in remote apiary areas
How Women Are Succeeding
1. Community Projects
- NGOs like African Honey Bee and Food & Trees for Africa run women-led beekeeping projects
- Groups in Limpopo, Eastern Cape, and Mpumalanga show strong growth
- Hives are managed collectively and honey sold as a brand
2. Women-Owned Co-ops
- Women are leading formal co-ops registered with CIPC
- They manage hive sites, extraction rooms, and market access
- Some supply honey to local retail or school nutrition programmes
3. Youth and Women in Agriculture Programmes
- Department of Agriculture funds women beekeepers under WARD and YARD programmes
- NYDA and SEDA offer grants or equipment support
4. Mentorship and Leadership
- Female beekeepers train others in safe handling and hive management
- Build networks through WhatsApp groups, cooperatives, and local forums
- Some women act as trainers for NGOs or provincial agri departments
Success Tips for Women Starting Out
- Start small with 2–3 hives and build confidence gradually
- Join a local group or cooperative for support
- Choose apiary sites close to home for safety
- Invest in good gear and keep hive records from the beginning
How to Support Women in Beekeeping
- Offer land or unused space for hive placement
- Buy honey directly from women-led groups
- Sponsor protective gear or smoker kits for school projects
Final Thoughts
Women are reshaping the beekeeping landscape in South Africa by building businesses, supporting families, and leading sustainable agriculture efforts.
With continued access to training, mentorship, and land, more women will rise as producers and change-makers in the honey industry.