From page 23
mead maker , also a popular addition to the shop . Financially they net about R1,7 million representing a 14 % return on their capital investment before tax , considered only a fair return after all the year ' s hard work . Annually mid-December to the second week in January is holiday time and they shut down the entire works , go away on holiday or just relax at home for about three weeks . As a young 20 year-old , Ron worked as an office Johnnie in a bank and often gazed out the window to the open air , the sunshine and the trees around . His calling was for the outdoors . He started beekeeping as a hobby that grew from ten hives to 20 hives , too many for their little home in old Benoni . He joined a beekeeping association and by mixing with beekeepers he was able to extend his hive population to 200 hives , kept on farms . With tight finances , and
Bee-friendly plant book
The definitive book on plants that supply bees with their vital sources of nectar has been published by the SA National Biodiversity Institute ( Sanbi ), entitled Beeplants of South Africa . Written by M F Johannsmeier , author of the famous “ Blue
Book ”, Beekeeping in South Africa , itisthelatestinSanbi ' s Strelitzia series of books on local plants . Over the last couple of years Sanbi has been conducting research on important forage resources for honey bees in
Continued on page 27 financial help from the bank , he purchased their plot . At the tender age of 26 years he married Carol and the hard working partnership paid off . Now , at 66 years of age and 40 years in the beekeeping game he and Carol , arm in arm , stand at their front gate and gaze upon their lifetimes ' work , their beautiful homes and gardens, the neatness of
BEEKEEPING their sweeping lawns, mature trees and flower beds , representing an investment of more than R12million , bond free . Article by Peter Clark , Chairman,
Eastern Highveld beekeepers ' Association at 011 362-2904 and information systems , Mike Alter at 011 965-6040
25 www . sasmallholder . co . za