Honey processing plant cooperative designed to boost Eastern Cape economy

In partnership with the Ngqushwa local municipality in the Amathole district of the Eastern Cape, we are establishing a honey processing plant as a sustainable income-generating project for our labour-sending Peddie community.

After due consideration of Ngqushwa’s integrated development plans and our Mponeng SLP commitments, the municipality provided 5 000m² of land with water, electricity and sewage services as well as R2 million co-funding for Harmony to establish the Peddie honey processing plant with a R5 million budget. The co-funding amount is ring-fenced to build beekeepers’ capacity, install a fence and appoint a specialist mentor.

Planned and designed to drive large-scale, intensive agricultural activities to benefit the greater Eastern Cape province, the plant will process raw honey for local beekeepers and produce other income-generating products such as beeswax candles, lipstick and crayons for sale in Food Lover’s Market, guest houses, supermarkets and pharmacies. It will also support beekeepers with ongoing training programmes in collaboration with academic institutions and other industry stakeholders, and help purchase equipment to promote community participation in this high-value agricultural enterprise.