What started out as just a hobby during the Covid-19 pandemic, gradually developed into the formulation of the Free State Beekeeping Association (FSBA).
Kenneth Nel is a local beekeeper who raises awareness around the safety of locals, and shines a light on the importance of bees in society. He is also the owner of the Bee Shop in Bloemfontein.
For 13 years he made it a mission to further his passion for beekeeping by expanding his shop to equip aspiring beekeepers, both young and old, with the skillset and mentorship so that they too can understand the “importance of keeping our bees alive,” he expressed.
“The South African Bee Industry Organisation (SABIO) shared some numbers at our first FSBA meeting at the Bee Shop. There is a desperate need for youngsters to enter the industry and there is a big opportunity for more beekeepers to participate in pollination,” said Nel.
The community can step in by simply calling a beekeeper to safely remove bees on their premises. “The appeal to the public is to leave the bees alone. They are protecting the queen, they are loaded with honey and are not aggressive. When you see a soccer ball of bees hanging for example from a branch or umbrella, they are resting before they will continue their journey.”
Nel proudly reported that there has been an uptake of younger and aspiring beekeepers in the city among the usual hobbyists or honey entrepreneurs. “You need to be a registered beekeeper to legally have bees on your premises. It is also advised in my opinion to attend a beekeeping course in order for the individual to know what they are getting themselves into. When we talk about bees it is always SAFETY FIRST,” explained Nel.
Through a mutual connection, Nel was introduced to Elizabeth Lamond who shares the same values regarding the ethical treatment and protection of bees.
The pair launched the FSBA on 24 February 2024 with the objective to have a structured group of like-minded people, ‘friends of the bees’, who can facilitate the development of beekeeping in the province. He encouraged locals to visit the Bee Shop in Dan Pienaar, or call 082-925-5918 to find out more about the buzzing bees and how you can contribute to the ethical treatment and protection
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