Beekeeping Project Transforms Lives in Lobamba Lomdzala
Peter Mkhabela, a member of Wanona Mdonjane, a group of 15 beekeepers in Lobamba Lomdzala says his life has been transformed, thanks to a beekeeping initiative supported by World Vision Eswatini, with generous support from the Standard Bank Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival.
Like many in his community, Mkhabela was previously unemployed and struggled to support his family, but today, he earns an income through beekeeping.
“We didn’t have any technical knowledge about beekeeping before World Vision trained us,” says Mkhabela. “Now, we have a skill that will help us feed our families and educate our children.”
He highlighted the broader benefits of beekeeping, particularly the role bees play in enhancing agricultural productivity through pollination.
“Bees are vital to food security because they help crops grow,” he explains, urging people who start wildfires during winter to stop.
“These fires destroy the trees that sustain the bees,” he stresses. “Even in the Bible, the Israelites were promised a land flowing with milk and honey, which shows how important bees have always been to human life.”
According to Jabulani Dlamini, World Vision Eswatini’s Development Facilitator for the Lobamba Lomdzala Area Programme, Wanona Mdonjane is one of several beekeeping groups established under the humanitarian organisation’s livelihoods programme in the area. “Our work is possible through strong partnerships and collaboration,” he states.
Key support has come from the Standard Bank Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival, which funded the donated beehives to the group. These hives are currently situated at a macadamia farm in Malkerns, a small agricultural town within Lobamba Lomdzala. The partnership with the farm has proven mutually beneficial, with the bees enhancing pollination of the macadamia trees. In return, this results in increased yields for the farm, while the beekeepers have access to a safe and rich environment for their bees to thrive.
“Our goal is to empower communities with skills that create sustainable livelihoods.”
Dlamini says the Standard Bank Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival’s support is continuing even in 2025. This year, the festival donated an additional E148,490.00 to World Vision Eswatini to expand the beekeeping initiative and support more farmers.
“Our goal is to empower communities with skills that create sustainable livelihoods,” Dlamini adds. “With support from partners like Standard Bank Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival, we are helping families to break the cycle of poverty.”
This beekeeping project in Lobamba Lomdzala is one of World Vision’s livelihoods that are empowering families to earn a living, subsequently giving children life in all its fullness.