--- title: "Beekeeping is creating a buzz around economic transformation efforts" description: "Fort Hare graduate highlights earning potential of rural women in the Eastern Cape." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "HONEY MONEY" author: "Estelle Ellis" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/estelle-ellis/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-28-beekeeping-is-creating-a-buzz-around-economic-transformation-efforts/" published: "2026-08-28T07:22:33" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 679 --- # Beekeeping is creating a buzz around economic transformation efforts > Fort Hare graduate highlights earning potential of rural women in the Eastern Cape. By Estelle Ellis · Published 28 August 2026, 09:22 SAST ## Key points - Innovative research by PhD graduate Dr Owetu Zamisa reveals the significant economic potential of beekeeping for rural women in the Eastern Cape. - Zamisa's study highlights that beekeeping can enhance household income and food security, challenging traditional perceptions and practices. - The project involved 300 small-scale beekeepers and emphasized the importance of education, co-operatives, and market access for success. - As a trailblazer in her field, Zamisa aims to inspire future generations to engage in academic and entrepreneurial ventures in agriculture. ## Content Research into the economic potential of beekeeping in the Eastern Cape has shown that it significantly improves household income, which makes it valuable as a strategy for rural development. Dr Owetu Zamisa (27), who conducted this research, just became the youngest PhD graduate at the University of Fort Hare’s 2026 autumn graduation. She was awarded a PhD in agricultural economics for her four-year research project into the link between beekeeping and rural economic transformation in the Eastern Cape, focusing on improving education, market access and cooperative structures. “Beekeeping is a sector with great potential, especially in areas where opportunities are limited, but it is often overlooked,” she explained. ![P7 Estelle Beekeeper](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/ClhIHhFglSrjC7MQmiHrSyU6-4o=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2992/688910265_1403790625128656_199067188844076950_n_760404.jpg) *Dr Owetu Zamisa (27) with her PhD on her special day at the University of Fort Hare’s autumn graduation. (Photo: University of Fort Hare)* During her PhD studies, she also published a paper investigating rural women’s potential interest in wild honey hunting, the factors that influence their decision to participate and the associated implications for income, dietary diversity and food insecurity. The communities she studied harvested wild honey, which was popular among, and trusted by, the local people. Her research showed that the potential income from local raw honey sales significantly contributes towards household food security. The study concluded that there is an emerging increase in rural women’s interest in wild honey hunting, even though, traditionally, wild honey hunting was done by men. “This therefore suggests a clear signal for the need to promote sustainable wild honey harvesting among rural women. This could be through targeting the reduction of technical risk factors that surround wild honey hunting, including sustainable harvesting techniques and promoting commercial sustainable beekeeping using frame hives, training and value addition, as well as improving access to institutional frameworks (access to extension services),” Zamisa wrote. She first came to the university 10 years ago and completed both her undergraduate degree and her postgraduate work up to PhD level within 10 years. She currently lectures at the Faculty of Science and Agriculture. Zamisa, who hails from Peddie in the Eastern Cape, said her first contact with the University of Fort Hare was when she travelled there to take part in mathematics and science competitions on campus. She also recounted that she still mourns the death of her brother, who succumbed to cancer when he was just eight years old while she was studying. She said part of her motivation was to improve the lives of her siblings. “It motivated me because I wanted to make him proud,” she said. **‘There is money in beekeeping’** For her research, Zamisa worked with 300 small-scale beekeepers across the rural Eastern Cape. Her findings show that education, being part of a co-operative, access to market information and farm inputs are key drivers of successful value addition and commercialisation. ![P7 Estelle Beekeeper](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/w-J_zl-YQLqJZRPtwxCaIyT1SNM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2992/687930924_1403790931795292_5684827557962946553_n_945590.jpg) *Dr Oweto Zamisa doing fieldwork. (Photo: University of Fort Hare)* “There is money in beekeeping,” she said, especially with formal market access. Zamisa said her fieldwork took her to remote areas of the Eastern Cape, as beekeepers are scattered around the province. She also had to confront traditional beliefs and fears, as some communities associated bees with ancestral messages and others feared the bees because they sting. Luthango Stamper, one of the beekeepers who was part of the research project, said they learned that they can derive an income from beekeeping. “She helped us see how honey moves in the market and how we can position ourselves for formal markets like supermarkets. Her work opened our eyes. It showed us that we can become more than small producers; we can become a recognised business,” he added. Zamisa said she hoped to mentor young researchers and inspire students from similar backgrounds to pursue academic and research careers. Zamisa’s mother, Nompumelelo Zamisa, said she was the pride of the family – the first to graduate and the first to obtain a PhD. “I witnessed her struggles and now I am witnessing her successes. She has truly elevated the family’s name.” **DM** *This story first appeared in our weekly*Daily Maverick 168*newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.*