By getting the Padiwan lessons I learnt with Dr Anton in 2003, I slashed my learning curve. I dug deep by studying the Blue Book, Beekeeping in South Africa written by Dr Martin J Johannesmeier.

After that course I got insights of the scope in beekeeping. My mind was blown out of the water by what was possible. The simplicity. The complexity. The hive of purpose to be sought in beekeeping was multi-leveled.

I decided to follow the process from Padiwan to Master using Bee Removals to fund the building the number of my hives and finding apiary sites.

In the first year and half I just kept a few hives. Tested the Langstroth out. Tried the Jackson Horizontal Hives too. Lost them in a veld fire. That was sad. 

I decided with the ideas I had and the purpose I chose, to run my own business, that I had to build beeyond having a couple of bee hives.

Many Padiwan Beekeepers, like 85% of ALL newbee beekeepers, want to keep bees to help them be safe and have a bit of honey. This means keeping between 2-4 bee hives on or near their home. How about you?  

In the time I removed bees and grew my apiaries, I was also able to pay my car off - granted it was a Hyandai Getz 1.4L - and go away to Cape Town for two weeks with my family of four. All paid by things to do with bees...

Most people will be able to gain some honey in the first year of keeping bees. The bee season starts in august of every year in South Africa. It runs through to about May the following year. This varies depending on where you live and keep bees slightly.

The hive cycle sees bees building, then expanding and finally storing excess. This can take up to a year in a hobby situation, where bees are locked in a single location, with limited access to changing and flowering flora. This translates into the potential of harvesting around 5 kilograms the first year.

The national average in South Africa is 15 kilograms a year however this leans to output for a mature colony that is in its second year of life.

From whatever walk of life, the learning curve with any new skill is huge. Always seek mentors that have walked the path you have.

With experience comes knowledge. Hacks. Tips. Insights. Shortcuts. Highlights. Drawbacks. Lessons. Skills. Reward. Benefit. Study. Dedication. Commitment. Value. Worth.