About us
Notshihive is a social-impact agribusiness committed to protecting bees, supporting communities, and strengthening food security through sustainable beekeeping solutions.
The company was shaped and refined through direct market research conducted within local communities. During our engagements in Nkuzana Village, community members expressed serious concerns about the authenticity of honey available in the market. Many residents shared frustrations about purchasing honey that was diluted or not genuine, highlighting a growing lack of trust between consumers and suppliers.
At the same time, households raised concerns about bees roaming inside their homes, often creating fear and safety risks. Due to limited knowledge and access to ethical solutions, bees are frequently killed, despite their critical role in the ecosystem. Interestingly, while some community members viewed bees as a threat, others—particularly small-scale farmers—emphasized the need for bees in their orchards to improve pollination and crop yields.
Further research in Thohoyandou revealed another critical need: practical education and training in beekeeping. Individuals showed strong interest in learning how to keep bees safely, generate income, and contribute to environmental conservation, but lacked access to affordable and locally relevant training.
These insights led Notshihive to strategically pivot its model.
Today, Notshihive responds to these interconnected challenges by:
>Providing authentic, ethically produced honey and bee products
>Offering safe and non-lethal bee removal and relocation services
>Supporting farmers and orchards through pollination-focused beekeeping
>Delivering beekeeping education and training to empower individuals and communities
Our approach balances community safety, economic opportunity, and environmental sustainability. By protecting bees rather than destroying them, and by restoring trust in bee products, Notshihive contributes to resilient agricultural systems and empowered rural communities.
We believe that when bees thrive, people, farms, and ecosystems thrive together.
Why Bees?
Bees are vital pollinators, supporting biodiversity and food security worldwide. Their products honey, propolis, and royal jelly offer natural health benefits, boosting immunity and wellness. Protecting bees preserves our ecosystem and enhances our quality of life. Join us in celebrating these remarkable creatures.
Our Team
Founder
"I believe bees are more than just creatures of nature, they are symbols of hard work, unity, and abundance. If we learn from them, we can build a better, sustainable future for us all."
-Phathutshedzo Masutha
Founder/CEO
Phathutshedzo Masutha is the founder and CEO of Notshihive, an agribusiness enterprise dedicated to unlocking opportunities in the beekeeping value chain and empowering communities through sustainable agriculture. As a passionate agripreneur and innovative thinker, he leads Notshihive’s vision of transforming beekeeping into a catalyst for job creation, youth development, and economic growth across South Africa.
Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management at the University of Venda, Phathutshedzo is an award-winning academic, recognised with the Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Award as the top student in the Faculty of Science, Engineering, and Agriculture. His strong background in biology, biotechnology, and agribusiness enables him to blend scientific insight with entrepreneurial strategy.
Driven by a commitment to community upliftment, Phathutshedzo has founded several education and development initiatives, including Examta Group and Examta Digital, which provide academic support from primary to university level. His work extends beyond business—he is a youth leader, researcher, writer, and advocate for agripreneurship as a pathway to generational wealth and rural transformation.
Phathutshedzo is committed to building companies that create impact, open opportunities for emerging agripreneurs, and advance Africa’s agricultural future through innovation, education, and sustainable value chains.
Chief Commercial officer
Mbhoni Remember Mathonsi is the Chief Commercial Officer at Notshihive, where he leads the company’s commercial strategy, partnerships, and market expansion efforts. With a strong background in business development and innovation, he brings a results-driven approach to building sustainable agribusiness value chains across South Africa.
Mbhoni plays a key role in driving Notshihive’s mission of empowering emerging agripreneurs by developing profitable market pathways, securing supply agreements, and positioning Notshihive’s products for retail and export opportunities. His work focuses on bridging the gap between local producers and high-value markets, ensuring that rural and township producers gain access to meaningful commercial opportunities.
Before joining Notshihive, Mbhoni gained extensive leadership experience through various entrepreneurial ventures and strategic roles, where he worked on commercialisation, enterprise development, and stakeholder engagement. His blend of corporate insight and entrepreneurial mindset enables him to build strong business networks and create sustainable revenue models that drive long-term growth.
Passionate about inclusive economic development, Mbhoni is committed to building systems that uplift communities, create jobs, and open market opportunities for small-scale producers. At Notshihive, he continues to champion innovation, commercial excellence, and the vision of transforming agribusiness into a powerful vehicle for economic empowerment.
Chief Marketing officer
Lebo serves as the CMO at Notshihive, where she leads the company’s branding, communications, and customer engagement efforts. With a passion for creativity and a strong understanding of market trends, she plays a key role in positioning Notshihive as a trusted leader in South Africa’s agribusiness and beekeeping value chain.
At Notshihive, Lebo is responsible for building the brand’s presence across digital and physical platforms, creating marketing strategies that drive product sales, and connecting communities to the company’s mission of empowering agripreneurs. She crafts compelling stories that highlight Notshihive’s impact, develops promotional campaigns for honey products and workshops, and works closely with the commercial team to expand the company’s reach into retail and new markets.
Driven, innovative, and community-focused, Lebo brings a fresh perspective to agribusiness marketing. Her work strengthens Notshihive’s relationships with customers, partners, and suppliers while growing awareness of sustainable agriculture and rural development. She is committed to ensuring that every marketing initiative reflects Notshihive’s vision of building opportunities, creating jobs, and transforming communities through agribusiness.
Production Manager
Owami Ambe is the Production Manager at Notshihive, where he oversees beekeeping operations, honey production, and ethical bee management activities.
He has formal training in beekeeping, including a Beekeeping Certificate from Madzivhandila College, and has developed his skills through practical experience and continuous learning from multiple beekeeping sources.
Owami has hands-on experience in caring for bee colonies, harvesting honey, and conducting safe bee removal and relocation services, ensuring both community safety and environmental sustainability.
His work plays a critical role in maintaining healthy colonies and delivering authentic, high-quality bee products.
In addition to his professional role, Owami is an Agribusiness student at the University of Venda, where he strengthens his understanding of agricultural systems, sustainability, and enterprise development. This combination of academic knowledge and practical beekeeping expertise enables him to contribute effectively to Notshihive’s mission of supporting food security through sustainable beekeeping.
Chief Operating officer
Pfariso Vhangani is a highly driven and multifaceted professional currently pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resources at MANCOSA. With a deep passion for people development, organizational growth, and leadership, Pfariso is committed to creating positive, engaging, and productive work environments where teams can thrive. She possesses a keen understanding of human dynamics in organizations and actively seeks opportunities to apply her knowledge to support both individual and organizational success.
Beyond her academic achievements, Pfariso is a talented fashion designer, skillfully blending creativity with business insight. Her ability to navigate multiple fields simultaneously demonstrates exceptional time-management skills, adaptability, and a forward-thinking mindset. This combination of creativity and analytical thinking allows her to approach challenges with innovative solutions and a fresh perspective.
At Notshihive, Pfariso has been instrumental in the organization’s growth, supporting fundraising efforts, operational setup, and sales execution. She has shown remarkable dedication, assisting with stock management, sales operations, and event setup, ensuring that the organization runs smoothly and efficiently. Her hands-on approach, combined with strategic thinking, makes her an invaluable asset to the team.
Known for her motivation, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to excellence, Pfariso continuously seeks personal and professional growth. She approaches every project with creativity, professionalism, and a solutions-oriented mindset, consistently delivering high-quality results while inspiring those around her. Her ability to merge innovation, leadership, and a collaborative spirit positions her as a rising talent in both the business and creative sectors.