Lerato Moloko

Women in the Environment and Sustainability

Nominee's Province:
North West

Project Name/Description:
Beekeeper

More info:

Lerato Moloko, would like to see that there is food security and that the backbone to our environmental eco-system is sustained, and therefore to keep the eco-system flowing as in life there is a need for pollination. One of the interventions to ensure that pollination takes place, the bees keep the cycle flowing. A cancer survivor, Lerato is one of a few beekeepers in the country. “Through beekeeping, we are able to address climate change issues,” she emphasises. Lerato says her introduction to beekeeping happened after being diagnosed with Stage 3 stomach cancer in 2018. After completing six chemotherapy cycles and surgery she took up lessons to learn about bees. “I also got to learn that they were very therapeutic, and this became part of my healing. In 2021, unfortunately the cancer returned,” she recalls. In total she has had 16 chemo cycles and one radiation session. For each cycle she ensured she visited the bees. She currently owns10 hives, in her village – Molote City, Boons, North West. Her role as a beekeeper has enabled her to create an initiative called the Bee Girl. The initiative introduces the girl child to beekeeping. Currently a Bee Queen Day has been initiated to celebrate women in beekeeping. The function wase held at Molote City on 13 August 2022. Bees have now been declared as livestock.This means that governance rules that apply to traditional livestocks will now apply to bees as well. Lerato’s advice is that women should form cooperatives to fast-track access to land, finance, infrastructure and security