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Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen addressed the Beekeeping Awareness Field Day at Oude Raapkraal in West Lake, Cape Town, emphasizing the crucial role bees play in South Africa’s food security and economy. He called for stronger cooperation between government, farmers, and beekeepers to protect pollinators and expand local honey production.
What Happened
Minister Steenhuisen reminded attendees that bees are “the farmers of the sky,” responsible for pollinating crops worth over R10 billion annually. South Africa’s beekeeping industry relies on two native species the Cape Honeybee (Apis mellifera capensis) and the African Honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata) both recognized under the Animal Improvement Act of 1998.
He said bees are vital to agriculture, economic development, and food security. “No bees, no food. No pollination, no prosperity,” the Minister stressed, urging citizens to create bee-friendly spaces by planting indigenous plants and fruit trees to sustain bee populations.
Official Response
Minister Steenhuisen reiterated government’s commitment to the beekeeping sector through the development of key policies and strategies, including:
- A National Beekeeping Strategy
- A Bee Forage and Disease Management Plan
- A Residue Monitoring Plan for honey exports to the EU
- A Honey Value Chain Round-Table Forum
He revealed that South Africa aims to join African countries such as Tanzania and Zambia in exporting honey to the European Union. “With collaboration and support, we can make honey exports a success,” he said.
He also discussed pesticide safety, urging farmers and beekeepers to coordinate closely to avoid mass bee deaths during spraying. “Protecting crops and protecting bees must work together,” Steenhuisen noted.
Community Impact
Beekeeping, he said, offers economic opportunities for youth, women, and rural communities because it requires little land and capital. The sector contributes directly to job creation, rural development, and biodiversity conservation.
The Department of Agriculture has commissioned the Agricultural Research Council to research American Foulbrood (AFB) disease and develop a national management plan. This is part of broader efforts to protect colonies and secure pollination services.
“Bees are the heartbeat of our environment and our economy,” Steenhuisen concluded. “Together, we can ensure that the hum of the honeybee remains the sound of life and abundance for generations to come.”
