Page 37 - Waterfall City Issue 4 April 2024

Whether you live on a plot or farm, in a townhouse or flat – the

enchanting world of beehives, honey extraction, bee courses and baked

goods are all available to you. Here are the basics to get you going.

T here are specific by-laws for beekeeping, stipulated Industry Organisation (SABIO) so that their set-up is

in accordance with the regulation standards. This is to
by the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan
ensure that all bees are cared for and to prevent accidents
Muncipality Public Health. You can’t own a hive
on your balcony in the suburbs, for example,
but you can go on an epic beekeeping course and or injuries to one’s neighbours. If you can’t meet the
beekeeping regulations but still want to be part of the
tend to a hive away from home. For plot and farm ‘magic’, join a beekeeping training course that will teach you
dwellers, here is a brief overview of the current laws: how to understand bee language, harvest honey, and obtain
hands-on experience in the field.
No person may keep bees on any premises unless that • Pretoria: www.bhive.co.za
person is the holder of a permit authorising this activity, and • Johannesburg and Cape Town: www.beeware.co.za
every beehive is situated – • Western Cape: www.honeywoodfarm.co.za
• a minimum of five metres from any boundary of the • KwaZulu-Natal: www.bushveldbees.co.za
premises;
• a minimum of twenty metres from any public place or Tools and treasures
building used for human habitation or from any place used Beginner beekeeping courses in South Africa offer a hands-
for the keeping of animals; and on experience where all tools, suits and hives are provided
• the bees are kept in an approved beehive located in an area to obtain the best practical experience. Basic tools and
inaccessible to children and animals, kept in the shade at all equipment include a beehive box, a colony, a bee queen, a
times, and supplied with a source of drinking water within bee suit, a bee brush and a smoker.
five metres of the hive.
Treat yourself and your family to the treasures of your hive
Beekeepers need to register with the South African Bee by investing in honey extraction equipment. This enables

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