10 March 2025 by Paballo Juliet Kabi and Pascalinah Kabi

Est. Read Time: 5 min

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The brown boxes, covered with silver metals, almost mimic the rocky foothills of the Maloti Mountains, rising just a stone’s throw from the Rural Self-Help Association (RSDA) offices in Phamong, Mohale’s Hoek.

Inside these boxes, known as beehives, are bees—small yet significant creatures that play a vital role in biodiversity and are helping farmers in Shalane transform their lives.

Teane Topollo, 30, is one such farmer who knows firsthand how these yellowish-black creatures are boosting family income in the village.

“Using the right utensils significantly increases production, which translates to a better family income,” Topollo told Uncensored News/Public Eye on February 20, 2025.

Initially, this family business was run by Topollo’s mother until he took over in 2022. Topollo explains that beekeeping requires someone physically active, and his mother was gradually losing the strength needed to continue.

“We started off using chicken utensils because we didn’t have proper equipment for our beekeeping business. That continued until 2018, when the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) helped us,” Topollo said.

RSDA launches beekeeping centre of excellence with support from Taché Foundation

The UNDP project was implemented by the RSDA. Mampho Thulo, RSDA National Director, mentioned that the UNDP-supported project began with only two beehives a few years ago.

Since then, the organisation has made significant strides, culminating in December 2024, when the RSDA, with support from the Taché Foundation, launched a Beekeeping Centre of Excellence.

Topollo believes this initiative has greatly boosted his family’s business production. “Production has increased because we now have the proper equipment,” he said.

Following the UNDP-supported project, Thulo said her organisation realised that the beekeeping project has great potential because the box would be filled with honey within no time.

“We then decided to increase capacity. Today (December 4, 2024) we are launching this project. We want to work with you with honeybee production,” Thulo told Phamong villagers and farmers who gathered to witness the launch of the Beekeeping Centre of Excellence.

Thulo explained that after realising the potential of this beekeeping project, they received funding from Taché Foundation.

“They have allocated €15, 700 to us, which is slightly over M300 000 for us to start working with you (Phamong farmers),” Thulo explained.

She indicated that the RSDA was going to use part of these funds erect a structure which it will use to hold trainings for farmers.

Taché Foundation representative Martin Tsabaru said the foundation works with Group Taché, a diamond company that purchases some of its diamonds from Lesotho.

“We created the Taché Foundation to directly engage with the sourcing countries we work with and make a real impact. It’s not just about donations. We are committed to being with RSDA and Mathulo for several years to ensure we see tangible growth and results from our efforts,” Tsabaru said.

He indicated that the Taché Foundation’s relationship with RSDA started with the hatchery project.

“This time we decided to be a lot more involved with a new project that Mathulo spoke to us about. I’m very proud to represent the Taché Foundation to donate this equipment, and we look forward to tracking the impact that it has, and this is only the beginning.

“For me, the most important part of giving back and engaging with an NGO is to build a strong relationship, and already we have built a very strong relationship with Mathulo and her team,” Tsabaru said.

Meanwhile, Thulo stated that the RSDA is not only focused on helping farmers produce bee products but also on creating a sustainable market for them.

“This is going to be a big project. In the past, beekeeping was primarily known for beekeeping boxes, but now we have completed preparations at the farmers’ marketplace,” Thulo explained.

“We have established a market for every box used in beekeeping. Over the past three years, we have been preparing for beekeeping farming, ensuring that once honey is labelled organic, it is truly organic, allowing it to be exported, even to Europe,” she added.

She emphasised that her organisation has laid a strong foundation and now needs farmers to engage in beekeeping and “work together to produce quality products for the market.”

From one flit to pollination

In 2004, the Beekeeping Regional Situational Analysis reported that there were 378 beehives in Lesotho. The Lesotho National Farmers Union (LENAFU) states that this number has significantly increased.

“The growth and development of beekeeping sector in Lesotho is attributed to great support from the government departments, development partners and the non-government organisations,” according to the LENAFU website.

The website further noted: “The main beekeeping products in Lesotho are honey, propolis and beeswax with honey being the primary product.”

It also highlighted that the demand for honey in Lesotho is rising due to its medicinal and nutritional benefits, “evidenced by the large volumes of honey imported into the country.

Aside from bee products, Phamong farmer Teane Topollo explained that bees are an important source of pollination, transferring the pollen that plants desperately need for fertilisation. This process allows plants to reproduce and produce fruits and seeds.

“Bees are effective pollinators, and this helps with fertilization. So, in addition to producing bee products, we rely on them for food production,” Topollo said.

Recognising the crucial role bees play, RSDA National Director Mampho Thulo urged the Phamong community to advise their children against killing bees.

“Tell your children not to kill bees or spray poison on the fields to ensure that bees do not die. Beekeeping will help us make a living,” Thulo said.

She emphasised that keeping bees alive would contribute to Lesotho’s goal of food security.

“The biggest drive this year (2024) is for Basotho to consume locally produced food. Let us eat what we have grown. In urban areas, we see farmers’ wives leaving their own maize to buy processed mealie meal,” Thulo explained.

“We see people buying chicken on credit from us after purchasing frozen chicken from the shops. We are urging Basotho to buy directly from us and stop relying on credit. This is our most important message, and it doesn’t end here. We are also calling for support in the beekeeping business. Let’s consume our own products before even considering exporting them to places like Belgium,” she concluded.

For his part, Keketso Nkaki, Shalane ED Councillor, expressed that his greatest expectation from the RSDA is to see its work make a tangible difference in the lives of Phamong community members.

“I am grateful that the RSDA is still operational in this area. I was raised here by ‘m’e Mampho. My biggest expectation is that we will see a significant change in our lives now that the RSDA is back within our community. I know that the RSDA teaches people to be self-reliant and avoid dependency,” Nkaki said.