Kristie Paine, an award-winning beekeeper and entrepreneur from the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, has made her mark in a male-dominated industry while raising awareness on how to help bees work for the environment.

Paine became interested in bees when she was working as a game ranger. What began with a few beehives at home grew into her business, Bushveld Bees at Nottingham Road in 2019.

She sells a range of raw, organic honey as well as honey-infused products and mead.

Paine says she educates farmers about which flowers and plants attract bees, “When we work with farmers to keep bees on their property, we are also educating them on what to plant for bees, to create amazing eco-systems that can sustain pollinators. That is a key role we play.

Beekeeping is a vital industry for food production. Our country’s economy is reliant on farming. Without bees, that industry can fall flat, so that is why we do our part to conserve them.”

Paine is training 17 people working on her farm, mostly women, on how to become beekeepers. She explains why the industry is mainly male-dominated.

“When I am underestimated, I step up and prove to people that they were wrong. It is very physically demanding work, so that is a big milestone to overcome. I’m currently a learner judge for honey and have also received my certificate to be a mead judge. I am one of three of these judges in South Africa.”

She adds, “It was a very proud moment and has been a lot of hard work. I hope it brings more opportunities for small beekeepers who are not making a lot of money from their honey to look at other products that can bring in better income.”

Beekeeping | Bushveld Bees produces high-quality honey products: Kristie Paine