Welcome to Melville Untold, the newsletter you need to become the most "in the know" person in our neighbourhood this week.

In today’s newsletter,

• The Neighbourhood Beekeeper: A Taste Of Place 🍯

• Upliftment Day Concluded 👨‍🔧

• The Stokvel Gallery Is Exhibiting! 🖼️

Let’s go. 

— Aubrey Moloto, Phoenix-Lin Makhaya

The Digest

This week we bring you a sweet-sweet story about a phenomenal family side hustle right here in our neighbourhood. Today we take it back to Rustenberg Road. The first time we checked out the Melville Artisanal Market we met an amazing human named Andrew Stewart. Andrew is a vendor there and runs the Pure Honey stall. He has built a remarkable business from a dormant interest in bees and brought his wife Debbie along for the adventure.

A Dormant Interest Piqued

In 2019 Debbie and Andrew's house got a nasty bee infestation. The bees built a hive on the tree their beloved kitty used as a bridge to the outside world. Fearing for their cat's safety, Debbie Googled "Bee Removals" seeking the most ethical solution to their growing bee problem.

A man named Pierre Hefer came to the rescue. Andrew was transfixed by Pierre's "humane removal" of the bees, watching intently through a glass door. Andrew had always loved nature, so after Pierre safely cleared the bees, he quizzed him about his work until Pierre encouraged him to take a beekeeping course and join their local association. Andrew did so right away.

The Founding Story

After joining the Beekeeping Association, Andrew and Pierre reconnected. Lacking a hive, Pierre offered Andrew the chance to help service his numerous hives. Andrew enthusiastically accepted and spent about two seasons working with Pierre gaining practical experience, likening it to an apprenticeship.

After some time, Andrew started keeping a small number of bees himself. Debbie reminisces on those early days saying it was just "One tiny little ball of bees that Andy brought home in his lunchbox".

When Pierre later immigrated, he offered Andy the chance to take over his existing hives. After a quick chat with his wife, Andy accepted and bought Pierre out, marking the beginning of the Stewart's Local Raw Honey beekeeping business.

Humble Beginnings

At first, Debbie was "an admiring spectator" in a supporting role. She made coffees and ensured Andy was well-fed after long workdays and evening hive-tending.

She gradually started helping with bottling the honey, then took calls, arranged sales and managed client relations. She has now become Andy's apprentice, learning about hive maintenance.

The business began with calls from people needing ethical hive removals from their properties. Other customers wanted to host hives on their land. Word about their exceptional services spread and their business grew. They slowly added more hives as demand increased, leading to greater honey production.

Enter Melville

By 2024, they started selling their honey at the Melville Artisanal Market. They chose this market because "it is a local market that features local artisans and products with very few imported items."

Andy appreciates that markets offer a platform where customers can connect directly with suppliers and get to understand product origins, unlike the anonymity of supermarket goods. He believes markets like these benefit the community by providing more options and fostering connections.

We also spoke to Laurel Pretorius, the marketer for the Melville Artisanal Market. She believes the Stewart's business aligns with the market's values in many ways. The market values specialised food, gifts and plants, approving vendors who source or produce locally or are organic, free-range, or handmade. The Stewart's locally sourced raw honey fits these criteria perfectly. Their handling of honey extraction and jarring helps too.

Laurel says small and family-run businesses are extremely important to the market's identity. Debbie echoes this positive experience, stating that the market has been a "fantastic support" for their business. She described joining as feeling like "going to a new school," but found "everybody has been really wonderful" and the market has become "like a family". She highlighted the supportive atmosphere where vendors assist and celebrate each other's success.

The Raw, Localised and Multiflora Honey

Let's get technical about what makes Andy and Debbie's honey so unique and in demand:

• Their honey is raw: not heated or radiated and has zero additives. Keeping honey raw preserves the beneficial enzymes. Raw honey contains tiny pieces of pollen and propolis, which are considered beneficial, particularly for people with allergies like hay fever when consuming local honey.

• Multiflora: Bees forage over a 3 km radius and the Stewart's keep hives in different suburbs. This means that their bees collect nectar from various flowering plants, making the honey multiflora.

• Localised: A key characteristic is the highly localised nature of the honey. Andy collects batches from specific areas where their bees produce it. This allows customers to buy honey local to their neighbourhoods. They sell Melville honey, Linden honey, Parkview honey and many more.

• Suburb-specific flavours: One of the most unique aspects is the subtle differences in flavour and colour depending on the Jozi suburb where the hives are located. Each suburb has slightly different plants due to garden varieties and natural flora. Since bees forage within a 3km radius, different plant life in each area results in varying honey flavours – citrus in one suburb, eucalyptus or rose in another, or even basil or lavender. The colour also varies by suburb, ranging from pale yellow to reddish to very dark.

Production And Sustainability

Andy and Debbie conduct spring and winter maintenance on every hive, checking colony condition, queen performance and diseases. They also ensure bees have enough food for winter.

They practice sustainable beekeeping by recycling all wax from the hives. The old comb is melted down and exchanged for new wax sheets placed in frames for bees to build cells on. This practice maintains bee health by preventing brood cells from becoming too small over time. They also use diatomaceous earth around hives to combat beetle infestation instead of poisons.

Harvesting and maintenance happen at night for people's and pets' safety. When honey is ready, the wax cappings sealing the honey are cut off. The frames are then spun and honey runs through a wire mesh sieve to catch large wax pieces. The honey goes into a settling tank for about a week so fine particles can float to the top and be removed.

After settling, the honey is bottled. This minimal processing distinguishes their product from commercial honey, which is often irradiated or mixed with sugar syrups. Their raw honey isn't always crystal clear because it still contains pollen and propolis.

The Stewarts have also developed byproducts from their honey business. They're working with local entrepreneurs to create propolis tinctures and creams, lip balm and hand creams.

Andrew is pleased that many people have shown interest in hive byproducts, especially those with the knowledge to create these items. Now their business is "no longer a one-man show" and involves many others developing these products.

Challenges

Andrew tends the hives at night, so poor road conditions and lighting in our city create challenges. Weather affects harvests too. Too much rain can lead to honey absorbing water, increasing fermentation risk.

Another challenge is logistics and communication. Maintaining hives across multiple suburbs requires "liaising with various property owners to gain access to different properties". This involves communication, scheduling and maintaining good relationships with people hosting their hives.

A Look To The Future

Andy's vision is to "one day, in the not too distant future, actually take it up full-time and make it my permanent source of income". Debbie mentioned they would like their own little property "where we can actually do this full time".

They want to continue growing and developing byproducts that will support other families too.

Andy is keen to engage with gardening clubs, schools and scout groups. He wants to encourage people to look after bees. He wants them to grow plants that attract bees and other pollinators. He also hopes to interest younger community members in beekeeping. He's committed to bee conservation and education.

Debbie is super optimistic and says "The sky is the limit!" Judging by the steady flow of customers at the Melville Artisanal Market, the future of Local Raw Honey looks promising.

With ambitions for full-time operation, property ownership, product diversification and continued community engagement, all built on their high-quality, localised raw honey and presence within our local artisanal market, the sky really seems to be the limit for them. Spot-on Debbie!

I Love Melville.

We then asked what they love about Melville and their most memorable moment here. Andy's most memorable moment was "The Happening" festival. The Melville Artisanal Market was invited to participate. He found it rewarding to see "all the people in the neighbourhood, getting together celebrating their suburb and supporting the local shops and vendors."

You can get your hands on Andrew and Debbies yummy local raw honey at the Melville Artisanal Market. It opens on Saturdays from 9 am til 2 pm. You can also place an order on their website and collect from their home. It’s R100 a jar.

Call 074 113 1696 or 072 600 3004 to enquire about ethical bee removals or hive installations on your property.

If you enjoyed this week’s in-depth read consider buying us a coffee. 

What’s Happenin’ 🤔

Not too many things to do this mampara week. Our pick is SIX's new Thursgay's event and the art exhibition opening at Stokvel Gallery - here’s what’s happening...

We might have to stay indoors this week. 🌧️

Melville Weather For The Week ☔️ 

Wednesday 

24° 🌡️ 14°  | ⛈️ |  🌧️ 89% | E 9 km/h 💨

Thursday  

23° 🌡️ 14° |🌩️ | 🌧️ 70% | WNW 9 km/h 💨

Friday 

24° 🌡️ 12° | ⛅️ |  🌧️ 66% | E 15 km/h 💨

Saturday 

20° 🌡️ 12° | ⛅️ |  🌧️ 64% | NNE 13 km/h 💨

Sunday

21° 🌡️ 13° | ☁️ | 🌧️ 40% | N 15 km/h 💨

Monday 

23° 🌡️ 12° | 🌤️ | 🌧️ 45% | NNW 11 km/h 💨

Tuesday 

22° 🌡️ 12° | 🌧️ | 🌧️ 65% | N 4 km/h 💨

Live & Music Events Lowdown 🎸

This week we have music gigs at Chiesa and Smoking Kills. Otherwise, there are the usual events.

Tuesdays | 7 pm - 10 pm | Xai Xai Lounge | Eric Miyeni & Richard Jones playing live music | Free entry

Tuesdays | 7 pm - 10 pm | Coca Lounge | Rock Night: Top Deck & Gemini | Free | Contact Dylan 0833447288

Wednesdays | SIX Cocktails Bar | Live Jazz Sessions | 8 pm til late | Free

14/03 Friday | 7.30 pm | Chiesa di PAZZO LUPi | Sivuyile Jengu Sextet | Tickets R180 on quicket R230 at the door

14/03 Friday | 8 pm - 2 am | Smoking Kills Bar | Garage Nights: Late Night Frequencies: Drew, Tha Cutt & Guy Herman | R50

14/03 Friday | 7 pm | Coca Lounge | Open Mic Poetry Night | R50

14/03 Friday | 10 pm |Coca Lounge| Love of Music Friday Chill : Deep House Intruderz, Big Bear | Free

15/03 Saturday | 7 pm | Coca Lounge | Saturday Night Party: DJ Likz | Free

Sundays | 4 pm | Jo’anna Meltbar | Sola Vida Drum & Bass | 1/2 price cocktails | Free entry all day

If this comprehensive weather and gig guide helped you, consider buying us a coffee. 

For more updates as the week goes on, visit our instagram page @snapson7th

Melville Koppies Check-in ⛰️

Story Telling At Melville Koppies

Last weekend's storytelling by Merle Grace was a hit! Kids, adults and Koppies staff were entranced by captivating reenactments and hung onto every word. She told the story of where fire came from, followed by a cute tale of a little meerkat afraid of crossing a river because of a monster below.

Merle herself says she "saw the enjoyment on everyone's faces and was on a high the entire afternoon." Well done to her and the Koppies for such a successful event!

These happen every second Sunday of the month, so watch the Koppies socials and our gig guides to catch the next one.

The Monthly Walk With Dogs

This week, we're having our monthly walk with dogs. Tony, David, Tam and I (Aubrey) take people and their dogs around Melville Koppies West on the 15th of every month.

Meet us at the entrance of Koppies West at the cul-de-sac at the top of Arundel Road in Westdene on Saturday morning at 7:50. The walk starts at 8 am sharp, and lasts about an hour and a half. It costs R40 per person.

See you there with your furry family members!

Civil Matters 👷‍♀️

Updates On The Community Upliftment Day 

The Melville Residents Association together with the Melville Security Initiative and CREASS had a productive community upliftment day. Work included collecting fallen branches, paving reinstatements, grass cutting and weeding. Maintenance was carried out at:

• 4th Avenue & 4th Street

• 4th Avenue & 5th Street

• 3rd Avenue & 9th Street

• 2nd Avenue & 5th Street

• 6th Avenue & 6th Street

• 5th Avenue & 5th Street

• 9th Avenue & 3rd Street

• 5th Avenue & 7th Street

• 5th Avenue & 9th Street

Markets Watch 🎪

Melville Market

At the Melville Market at Kruis church, you'll find their autumn mix of vendors serving yummy foods and treats. Enjoy salted caramel ice cream, freshly baked bread, cakes, gourmet pies, quiches and delicious meals.

Melville Artisanal Market

At the Melville Artisanal Market this week, come get a one-of-a-kind gift! Handmade and unique, there's a huge variety to find. Check out Victor's stall with his quirky merch like hats and caps. His is the one with the hanging stuffed geckos!

Extra Sprinkles  ✨

Art Gallery Exhibition

The Stokvel Art Gallery is exhibiting again! Check out "bodyTme" by André Clements, showcasing a collection of black and white double-exposure photographs.

Catch the opening this Saturday and Sunday, the 15th and 16th of March, at the Joburg Artist Market (27boxes). RSVP to 0828120549 or [email protected].

Global Recycling Day Clean-Up at Zoo Lake

In honour of Zoo Lake's 121st birthday on 16th March and Global Recycling Day on 18th March, Zoo Lake is hosting a joint birthday celebration and recycling day cleanup. Help keep the park clean!

You're encouraged to donate your home recycling to the park. The cleanup runs from 10:00 to 12:30, with recycling drop-offs from 08:30 to 16:00.

Those who drop off recycling stand a chance to win great prizes! Contact Shilpa at 072 325 3176 for more information.

Thank you! 🙏

That's it for another brilliant Melville Untold. If you like what you read, Consider buying us a coffee.

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Stay connected, stay inspired, and let's make every Melville moment count!

'til next Tuesday,

Näkemiin! ✌️