A casual dinner conversation with a German tourist at a restaurant in Vilakazi Street, Soweto, seven years ago has transformed North West entrepreneur Mems Ramaila from a curious beekeeper into the owner of a growing value-added honey business with international partnerships and ambitions to reach global markets.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
Ramaila, who farms lucerne and owns Bee African near Brits in North West, says she could never have imagined a simple conversation over dinner in 2019 would set her on a path that would eventually take her to Germany and reshape the future of her business.
“A dinner conversation opened global markets for me,” she says.
At the time, Ramaila had become increasingly interested in beekeeping after noticing the large number of bees around her farm. She wanted to understand how she could turn what was already part of her farming environment into a sustainable business.
During the conversation in Soweto, the German tourist introduced her to internationally acclaimed honey judge Arie Krieke, who later travelled to South Africa and spent three weeks on her farm sharing his knowledge of beekeeping and honey production.
“I had already done extensive research and realised beekeeping had enormous income-generating potential while also delivering environmental and socio-economic benefits,” says Ramaila.
The mentorship laid the foundation for what would become Bee African, a business that has steadily evolved from producing raw honey into manufacturing premium bee products.
Also read: Healing through honey: Lulu Letlape, SA’s beekeeping powerhouse
Germany opens new opportunities
Another milestone came in 2025 when Ramaila was selected to participate in the Partnering in Business with Germany Programme, an initiative of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, and the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ).
The programme equips South African businesses with the knowledge, networks and partnerships needed to access European markets. Ramaila describes the three-week business visit to Germany as another defining moment in Bee African’s growth.
“Not only did I gain valuable insights into the German and broader European markets, but I also secured a Memorandum of Agreement with the respected German beekeeping company Kriel Honig,” she says.
The partnership quickly produced results. In February 2026, Kriel Honig owner Utha Bonowsky spent a month in South Africa training the Bee African team in value addition and the beneficiation of bee products.
The training enabled the company to expand beyond honey production into manufacturing premium beeswax candles, honey condiments and other speciality products aimed at the growing wellness and premium food markets. “Our sales are growing rapidly because we now produce unique, high-quality products that appeal to consumers looking for something different,” says Ramaila.
The business currently markets its products mainly through pop-up markets, where demand continues to grow, while several major shopping centres have invited Bee African to showcase its expanding range. “Our value proposition goes beyond selling honey. We are trading wellness because honey and other bee products offer nutritional and medicinal benefits that consumers increasingly appreciate.”
Also watch: Sweetening communities through sustainable beekeeping
Building a bigger business
Today, more than 50 beehives are spread across Bee African’s farm near Brits, supporting a business that has diversified far beyond traditional beekeeping.
In addition to honey and value-added bee products, the company manufactures beekeeping equipment, produces customised gift boxes and generates additional income by hosting educational farm experiences that teach school learners about pollination, biodiversity and the critical role bees play in agriculture.
Ramaila believes the business now has the potential to contribute meaningfully to increasing South Africa’s domestic honey production, reducing dependence on imported honey while creating employment opportunities.
“Our next priority is commercial expansion. We want to scale up production, but access to land remains one of the biggest challenges facing black producers who want to grow in this sector,” she says.
Although Bee African currently employs three people, Ramaila believes the business can create many more jobs as it expands. “With the support we’ve received from the dtic and our international partners, we are optimistic about the future. Our vision is to grow the business, create employment and empower more women and young people to participate in the beekeeping value chain.”
Also read and watch:
‘My first bee farming experience was a disaster’ – Boitumelo Tau
‘Beekeeping is more than honey’ – Chief Director calls for stronger partnerships to support emerging beekeepers
A sweet win for bee industry as inspectors target fake honey
‘Without bees, there is no agriculture!’ – World Bee Day 2026 webinar
Bees: The farmers of the sky
Beekeeping now a strategic national priority – Minister Steenhuisen
