Some people are born knowing exactly what they’re meant to do, and for Robin Rathbone, that clarity came early.

“Since the age of three, I’ve told my parents I would be a farmer,” Robin says. “I’ve always felt called to farm, in whatever capacity that may be.”

That calling has led Robin on a fascinating journey—from studying business management to working in professional hunting and conservation research. After years of freelance work, Robin landed his first full-time role managing a farm and lodge in the Eastern Cape. But it was in 2017, through a friendship with a neighbouring farmer and beekeeper, that his path shifted toward bees.

“After seeing a commercial beekeeping operation for the first time, I fell in love with the industry,” he shares. That was all the inspiration Robin needed to dive in and purchase his first few hives.

By 2019, Robin returned to Cape Town, sold his initial 26 hives, and fully committed to building his own beekeeping operation. He purchased an old cast-iron table saw, a wood jointer, and a shipping container that became his hive-building workshop. The rest, as they say, is buzzing history.

Building a Beekeeping Legacy

Now, at the close of his seventh beekeeping season, Robin still runs his operation largely solo—with occasional help from his wife and a few brave friends willing to lend a hand when the bees get busy.

While this year has been tough, with badgers and vandals reducing his productive colonies to 20 hives, Robin remains determined and hopeful. “We’re aiming to have at least 100 hives by the end of next season,” he says.

More Than Honey

For Robin, beekeeping is about much more than producing honey—it’s about passion and purpose.

“What initially inspired me was the conservation importance of bees and how accessible it was compared to other areas of farming. For the price of one cow, you can buy 10 hives and all the necessary equipment, without needing to own land.”

But beyond practicality, Robin is motivated by a deeper sense of calling. “I feel driven to fulfil my purpose through beekeeping. I’m passionate about nurturing healthy bee populations to support sustainable agriculture and thriving communities.”

Durbanville’s Urban-Nature Balance

Robin’s bees call Durbanville, just outside Cape Town, home. Their apiary sites are positioned as close to his base as possible, where they enjoy the benefits of an urban-rural balance.

“The proximity to the city allows the bees to forage most of the year without experiencing serious dearth periods,” he explains. “They mostly feed on wildflowers, Eucalyptus, Bloublommetjie, and Brazilian Pepper.”

The Challenge of Competing with Imports

Robin focuses on selling honey directly to consumers to maximise value but acknowledges it isn’t always easy.

“There’s so much imported honey flooding retail shelves, which makes it harder for small-scale local beekeepers like me to compete,” he says.

Shared Values with Southern Gold Honey

When asked how Southern Gold’s commitment to sustainability, farmer support, and bee conservation fits with his own values, Robin is quick to express his support.

“My goal is to grow the business and focus more on pollination as a primary income stream. To have a local business like Southern Gold, passionate about supporting farmers and buying honey in bulk at fair prices, takes a lot of pressure off beekeepers like me.”

Robin believes collaboration is key in the beekeeping world. “Beekeepers should be working together, not competing with one another. Our competition is the imported, irradiated, and pasteurised rubbish sitting on supermarket shelves—not other local beekeepers.”