By Maile Matsimela
In an address at the World Bee Day celebration at the Agricultural Research Council in Roodeplaat, Pretoria, on 20 May, Gauteng Agriculture MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa outlined her vision for transforming the province’s beekeeping sector while highlighting the critical role of bees in our ecosystem and economy.
“Dynamite comes in small packages, and I don’t think there’s a better example of that than our little friend called the bee,” declared MEC Ramokgopa, setting the tone for a speech that spotlighted both opportunities and challenges facing South Africa’s beekeeping industry.
Commemorating this year’s World Bee Day under the theme “Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all,” the MEC emphasised the existential importance of these tiny pollinators. “If the bee disappeared off the face of the earth, man would only have four years left to live,” she cautioned, underscoring the immediate need for protective measures and industry growth.
The significance of bees extends far beyond honey production, with pollination services forming the backbone of agricultural productivity across numerous sectors. “Without bees, rural livelihoods collapse and our very ecosystem and environmental security is threatened,” noted Ramokgopa, linking bee health directly to food security and economic stability.
Gauteng’s beekeeping strategy, or “apiculture” as the MEC termed it, stands on three robust pillars. First is economic growth and development, aiming to position the province as a hub for honey and related agro-processing. Second is collaboration with research institutions to introduce technological and knowledge-based innovations. The third focuses on market access and diversification, particularly for new entrants and young people in the industry.
“We want to open the market for new entrants, particularly young people, and facilitate training, education and opportunities in this industry,” Ramokgopa explained, addressing concerns about the aging population of beekeepers, which currently averages around 50 years old.
The MEC announced upcoming trade discussions with China’s Hunan province aimed at boosting exports from the honey sector. She stressed the importance of aggregation strategies to help small-scale producers meet large-scale demand and compete effectively in export markets.
“We have seen success with our egg aggregation facility in Mogale City, where small farmers are integrated into hi-tech agricultural value chains,” she reported. “Similar models can transform our honey industry.”
However, Ramokgopa didn’t shy away from addressing the numerous challenges facing bee populations and beekeepers. These include the reckless use of agrochemicals that poison pollinators and soil, climate change impacts, loss of forage space due to rapid urbanisation, biosecurity risks, and criminal activities like hive theft.
“The theft of hives and agricultural property requires coordinated community and safety responses,” she stated firmly, calling for collaborative approaches to protect beekeepers’ investments.
A significant concern highlighted was the market-related issues affecting local honey producers. Despite South Africa’s production capacity, the country imports significant amounts of honey, reflecting a need for consumer education about the quality and benefits of local products.
The MEC concluded with a passionate call to action: “We must work collectively toward growing the beekeeping sector, making it more inclusive, sustainable and aligned with ecological safety.”
