LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Kalahari Honey, changing the world sustainably, one bee at a time
Mavis Nduchwa is the Founder and CEO of Kalahari Honey, a honey aggregator from Botswana whose mission is to build sustainable communities using bees. Founded in 2015 the company uses beekeeping as a tool to mitigate human and wildlife conflict by training and supplying rural farmers with beehives. Kalahari Honey creates jobs for more than 500 families and counting. Mavis is a former BBC Food Chain 2019 Judge, UN SDG We Empower Awardee 2020, and a 2020 African Business Hero.
LoA spoke to the truly inspirational Mavis Nduchwa about her entrepreneurial journey and her mission to transform rural communities by harnessing the power of bees to create jobs and opportunities.
What does your company do?
We are a honey aggregator, we are using beekeeping to transform rural communities by creating jobs for them. We train and supply farmers with beehives, we then create a market by buying back the honey, processing, packaging and supplying the market.
What inspired you to start your company?
Three things inspired me to start Kalahari Honey. Firstly, my love for conservation. Secondly, I have always wanted to create jobs for my community. Thirdly, the financial freedom it brings.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Kalahari Honey is the first company of its kind in the country, we are solving problems that communities have using indigenous knowledge.
Tell us a little about your team
My team are my vision board. I am currently in Namibia setting up our new branch and they are able to carry on back at home without me.
Onalenna Kolobe is our CFO. Brighton Chabana is our OPS manager. Gabankitse Seleka is responsible for Logistics.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
When I was 14 years old my family sent me to a boarding school. My days at boarding school were spent working on solutions to the challenges that we had then, such as writing love letters for my friends, for which I charged them a small fee. Growing up I watched my grandmother trade in markets with her agriculture produce. I guess she inspired me.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Growth! In the next 5 years we see ourselves as one of the major honey suppliers regionally. We are currently in Botswana and Lesotho. In Lesotho, we supply retailers and wholesalers such as Spar, Food Lovers Market, Shoprite, Checkers and OK Foods.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
I can dream with no limitations.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
It is a very fulfilling journey. Just like a plane, take offs are critical but once you reach your altitude everything works out. Challenge yourself and do it.
Find out more
To find out more about the work of Kalahari Honey, contact founder Mavis Nduchwa via email: mavisn3@yahoo.co.uk or visit the company website and social media pages:
