In the early 1920s, the Hugo family became part of the farming community in Hopefield, which had been established in the 1850s. Together with the local farmers, they helped shape what is now known as Hopefield, leaving a lasting mark on the town’s history.
Fast forward to the 1950s, when Derick Hugo, received a beehive as a wedding gift from his father-in-law, who said, “If you ever can’t buy jam, at least your wife will have honey to spread on her bread.” This gift sparked Derick’s interest in beekeeping. Although he initially pursued it as a hobby, maintaining his own hives for years, his passion grew after his retirement in 1994. He turned beekeeping into a business, selling honey from his fifty hives and later operating a honey depot called “Die Byenes.” Throughout this journey, Derick’s deep connection with bees became a vital part of his history and legacy. His curiosity even extended to the honey badgers, which he thought were after honey but later realised they were seeking protein-rich bee larvae.
Helena, Derick’s daughter, spent 22 years in Portland, Oregon, where she researched the benefits of propolis and other bee products. Knowing honey’s amazing properties—antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, and its ability to promote cell growth—she became inspired to create skincare products that could benefit others. Her return to South Africa in 2010, driven by her father’s illness, became a turning point in their family history.
By then, Derick had already passed on his beekeeping knowledge to Pierre van der Westhuizen, who eventually married Helena. Together, they took over the family honey business, leading to the founding of Simply Bee. Helena began crafting skincare products from honey, propolis, and beeswax in her garage, laying the foundation for the Simply Bee brand. Today, what started with five products has grown into a line of over 210, thanks to Helena’s dedication and their rich family history with bees.
