Returning from Istanbul to South Africa in the wake of the Covid-19 lockdown, Ayesha Ebrahim CA(SA) found herself seeking a meaningful way to connect with nature and explore a new hobby.
Ayesha’s time in Istanbul, where she undertook Arabic and Islamic studies, had left her with a deep curiosity about bees and honey as mentioned in the Quran, in the 16th chapter, titled An-Nahl, meaning ‘The Bee’. This chapter speaks of the miraculous nature of these tiny creatures and the healing qualities of the honey they produce.
This inspired Ayesha to embark on a journey into the world of beekeeping. She began by purchasing a beehive, diving headfirst into this intricate and demanding hobby. Her previous experience of having a privilege to audit a honey start-up farm back in 2019 as senior audit manager also came in handy.
Beekeeping, as she quickly discovered, is not for the faint of heart. ‘It is an expensive and time-consuming endeavour requiring a great deal of patience, dedication, and learning. However, the rewards have been immeasurable, teaching me countless lessons about life, nature, and the extraordinary capabilities of bees,’ she explains.
‘Bees are among the most industrious creatures on the planet. Their relentless work ethic and the complex processes they undergo to produce honey are nothing short of awe inspiring. The same is true of the bird that learns to fly, the fish that learns to swim, the newly born child that learns to suck milk, etc.’
Ayesha says that watching the bees build their hexagonal combs with perfect precision from nothing always reminds her of the divine order and meticulous design inherent in nature. ‘Each comb, an architectural marvel, serves as a storage unit for the honey that nourishes us and offers numerous healing properties.’
The honey harvested from her beehive is not just a sweet treat but a testament to the incredible journey of these tiny pollinators. Through pollination, bees contribute significantly to the health of our ecosystems, ensuring the growth of many plants and crops. This intricate process results in the production of honey, a substance celebrated for its medicinal qualities and nutritional value. Beekeeping has been a source of immense joy and profound learning for Ayesha. The challenges and triumphs of maintaining a hive has given her a deeper appreciation for these remarkable insects and their role in our world.
‘Every tray of honeycomb I harvest is a reminder of the harmony and balance that bees bring to nature, as well as the healing potential they offer to humanity.’
In a time when the world was grappling with uncertainty and isolation, Ayesha’s passion for beekeeping provided a sense of purpose and connection. The bees have shown her that even in the smallest creatures, there is a wealth of wisdom and an unwavering commitment to their roles in the natural order.
As Ayesha continues to tend to the bees and harvest honey, she is reminded of the invaluable lessons they have taught her, ‘their diligence, resilience, and the sweet reward of their labour serves as a powerful metaphor for life,’ she concludes.
How to support
local beekeepers
- Planting a diverse set of native plants,
which flower at different times of the year - Buying raw honey from local farmers
- Protecting wild bee colonies when possible
- Sponsoring a hive
- Making a bee water fountain by leaving
a water bowl outside - Helping sustaining forest ecosystems
- Raising awareness around us by sharing
this information within our communities
and networks: the decline of bees
affects us all.
