DARD donates vehicle to apiary

By Emily Setona

QWAQWA – Local apiarist Neo Demanche Moloi says after struggling for a long time with deliveries for his beekeeping and honey production business, the department of agriculture finally heard his cry and donated a van to his business.

In an interview with this publication, Moloi said he is happy with this donation because his business can now run smoothly since he can make deliveries of his product on time.

“I was very passionate about working with bees so I started beekeeping in 2019, and I have received different types of assistance from the department. I am very happy to receive this donation of a car because I was struggling to transport my beehive boxes and even delivering the honey was tough so this donation will really help me a lot,” Moloi said.

Agricultural economics and marketing officer Thabitha Mokone said Demanche Heavenly Honey project, belongs to the youth of Kestell and as a department they saw it fit to assist them.

“Demanche Heavenly Honey project makes honey and other products and they received assistance from the department with different resources because it is a food processing business so we have to help them with health and safety and because they were struggling with deliveries and transporting their beehive boxes we saw it fit to donate to this vehicle after we saw how hard working he was and how far he went with all the help we gave to him before.

MEC Elizabeth Rockman cutting ribbon during the handing over of the vehicle to Demanche’s Heavenly Honey’s Neo Demanche Moloi.

“Our support didn’t all come in one year, we monitored the project’s progress and kept on helping him based on his immediate needs. Their honey is golden, and it is organic, and it is in demand. Their honey has secured a good market,” Mokone said in an interview with The Guard.Before handing over the vehicle and cutting the ribbon the MEC of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Elzabe Rockman said she likes projects like this because they are going far.

“I like projects like this because it is obvious that you are going far. The department must continue to help you so that one day you can export your product,” Rockman said.