JMM Beekeeping (PTY) Ltd is a Private Company located in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho: located in Saharan Countries, surrounded by South Africa, and member of SADC/Common Wealth Countries, United Nations. In Mafeteng District, one km from Main South 1 towards West of Mafeteng District, Wepener Road to Vanrooyens Gate (Catholic Training Centre).

Sole Proprietor of Sr. Julia ‘Masina Mafike H.C.P. (Handsmaids of Christ the Priest). Registered on the 4th June 2015, after producing and selling the products since September 2013, under supervision of Ministry of Forestry, Range, Soil and Water Conservation in Mafeteng District, according to the Ministry of Forestry JMM Beekeeping (PTY) Ltd started as a small company with a few hives; it established a rapport with the Ministry of Forestry, Range and Soil Conservation since the beginning. Now it has grown very big and well established. Its products are currently sold as far afield as Eswatini and many other SADC member states. It is now a centre of excellence in Lesotho. It provides training to the youth, emerging farmers, individuals, groups and organisations. Its rapport with The Ministry of Forestry is still very strong. Basotho Enterprises Development Corporation (BEDCO) put a lot of effort for Business Management Training; JMM Beekeeping (PTY) Ltd has gained its exposure to both local and International markets through EXPOs that were organised and supported by BEDCO. JMM Beekeeping (PTY) Ltd exports Propolis to South Africa, Eswatini and We have about 50 distributors.

JMM Beekeeping first engaged to the National University of Lesotho (NUL) during the most famous occasion in Lesotho, National University of Lesotho International Science, Technology and Innovation Conference and Expo (NULISTICE-2018) through invitation as one of the local companies. Now JMM Beekeeping friendship with NUL is great, there is interest by NUL to utilize the status of JMM of being a Centre of Excellence in Lesotho on beekeeping in a way to improve teaching, learning and research. The memorandum of understanding between JMM beekeeping and NUL through the Department of Nutrition has been signed. JMM beekeeping has committed to give an award to the best performing student in BSc Nutrition during NUL graduation Ceremony. Number of NUL students from different programs regularly visit JMM Beekeeping to learn about bees, their products as well as business in beekeeping. In 2022, new products developed by JMM Beekeeping for cold treatment were tested for fit for human consumption by NUL-Nutrition Laboratory and no harmful substances were detected, part of testing samples was sponsored by NUL. It was further agreed that JMM will house NUL students for their attachment sessions in beekeeping and product development.

University of Free State plays one of the major roles through Prof. Motlalepula Gilbert Mats’abisa, in ensuring a good maintenance of standard, barcodes and testing products for human consumption.

JMM Beekeeping (PTY) Ltd was officially opened on the 19th May, 2021 by the Rt. Rev. Bishop John Joale Tlhomola SCP, Bishop of Diocese of Mohale’s Hoek Lesotho, in the presence of Lesotho Catholic Bishops Conference President Rt. Rev. Bishop Augustinus Tumahole Bane OMI and the Handmaids of Christ the Priest Sisters lead by Vicar General Sr. Mary Mokoma HCP.

On the 20th May 2021, Lesotho celebrated World Bee Day for the first time ever hosted by JMM Beekeeping (Sr. Julia ‘Masina Mafike HCP) farm at Mafeteng district. The ceremony was in the presence of the representatives from the Government of Lesotho & non-governmental organizations, The National University of Lesotho represented by Mr. Joseph Kebitsamang Mothibe (Senior Lecturer, Department of Nutrition), Lesotho’s beekeepers, Rev. Father Bheki Shabalala CMM (Father Provencial of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Mariannhill, Durban) and Mr. David Mukomana from Zimbabwe, President of Apimondia Regional Commission of Africa representing International Federation of Beekeepers Associations Regional Commission for Africa. JMM Beekeeping (PTY) Ltd received a recommendation that it represent Lesotho at “forthcoming 47th Apimondia Congress in UFA, Russia 2022.” The Congess was cancelled in Russia and now happening in Istanbul, Turkey from 24th to 28th August 2022. The World Bee Day was supported generously by the following institutions: Thaba Bosiu Risk Solutions (Advertising), Maseru Toyota (Advertising), Maboloka Spring Water (Bottled water), Metropolitan Lesotho (masks), LENAFU (Delegates food), Standard Lesotho Bank (Masks, bottled water & guests’ gift pack), Rt. Rev. Bishop John Joale Tlhomola SCP (Bishop of Diocese of Mohale’s Hoek), Mrs & Mr Lepheane, Sentebale Funeral Gap, Ministry of Forestry Thaba-Tseka (Sheep) and other individuals. “Bee engaged, build back better for bees.”

JMM Beekeeping (PTY) LTD (Julia ‘Masina Mafike Beekeeping) is one of the women-led “hotspots” enterprises in massive beekeeping products value-chain production falling within the GEF-SGP funded project titled Removing Barriers from upscaling Beekeeping and Production of Wool and Mohair products in Lesotho.

This unique GEF-SGP funded Women-led Enterprises Innovation Programme is implemented by a Lesotho NGO, Technologies for Economic Development (TED) and the Government of Lesotho with the Overall Objective to “Harness and safeguard entrepreneurship skills of women in order to strengthen their participation in nature based businesses such as those involving biodiversity conservation and value addition to agricultural products, as well as to support resilient livelihoods thus contributing to economic growth”. The project implements the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP II) which “aims to transform Lesotho from a consumer-based economy to a producer- and export-driven economy.”

Since the first encounter during the landmark World Bee Day 2021 celebration hosted by JMM Beekeeping Farm, graced by the Catholic Church leadership and the President of Apimondia Regional Commission for Africa, guided by the Ministry of Forestry, Range and Soil Conservation, TED brings stakeholders in the BeeKeeping sector together to enhance their skills. The Beekeeping Farmers in Lesotho within the project developed a motto: “Let there be Honey in Lesotho” and are working together towards showcasing Lesotho Beekeeping products during the 47th Apimondia Congress in UFA, Russia 2022.

Through this GEF-SGP funded project, JMM and other enterprises receive support for appropriate skills and technological capacity, support to attend Trade Fairs, On-point study tours, knowledge fairs/ exchanges and diversification of products and networking.

JMM Beekeeping (PTY) Ltd products testing by the National University of Lesotho (NUL) is sponsored through the GEF-SGP funded project “Removing Barriers from upscaling Beekeeping and production of Wool and Mohair Products in Lesotho” which is implemented by TED.

The Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Command had interest in apiculture in the year 2021. Sister Julia Mafike was identified as the best candidate who could help the LDF Command achieve their dream. She has an established beekeeping company; JMM Beekeeping (PTY) Ltd which was registered in 2015.

Therefore, Sister Mafike was requested to prepare a presentation for the LDF Command, about the benefits of beekeeping and the products that could be made. She offered free training to LDF personnel and donated man-made bee hives.

The LDF Gymnasium personnel and a few infantry soldiers went to the Catholic Training Centre, Wepener Road, in the district of Mafeteng where JMM Beekeeping is based, to get the training that Sister Mafike offered.

During harvesting time in the LDF, Sister Mafike provided full body bee suits, and the LDF produced their own honey with her guidance. The LDF is currently producing honey, and in the process of producing bee propolis under the guidance of Sister Mafike. The LDF Command’s plan is to expand this project to the LDF forward bases.

Remove Barriers from upscaling Beekeeping 

“Let there be Honey in Lesotho”

Initial growth of JMM Beekeeping was supported by Mr. Mohaila Jobo Mota (Lesotho), Mr. Frank Pinter (Australia), and Mrs. MB Lemoine (United States of America).

We produce the finest Bee Products in the World, among which are; Honey, Bee Wax, Bee Body Cream/Lotion, Lip Balm and most importantly Bee Propolis which is antibacterial, antivaral, antifungal, and antiprotozoal. Propolis has immune modulating and enhance metabolic activities of the body. May be good for fighting diabetes, cancer, hypertension, good for bones and stimulate blood vessel regeneration. We produce Honey Wine which is useful in relieving stress, maintaining body optimum body temperature, protection against cold environment and internal body cleansing.

Propolis was also tested and analysed for “fit for human consumption”, by University of Free State, South Africa; Lab Sample Ref. No.: CT18-040014-001.

The following products were also tested by The National University of Lesotho for Human Consumption and all were found to be fit for human consumption.

Relief 1 Artemisia-Lengana (Sample No.: 012/22)
Relief 2 Eucalyptus-Bloukomo (Sample No.: 013/22)
Relief 3 Phate ea ngaka (Sample No.: 014/22)
Relief 4 Peperboom (Sample No.: 015/22)
Relief 5 Mixture of relief 1, 2, 3 & 4 (Sample No.: 016/22)
Relief 6 Peperboom Corns (Sample No.: 017/22)
Relief 7 Toala (Sample No.: 018/22)

All are useful for treating Flue/Common cold symptoms that includes;
1. Difficulty breathing
2. Chest pains
3. Stuffy nose
4. Relieving stress
5. Maintain optimum temperature