Picture: The Deputy Principal of Thethe Secondary School, Nono Mohohleng and Ditiro Selemela/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
In its quest to accelerate the growth and development of beekeepers in the province, the North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono, has officially launched the North West Province Beekeepers Association (NWPBA).
The association was launched during the Provincial World Bee Day celebration in Luka village, near Rustenburg on 19 May 2023. Mohono said the theme of the event was: “BEE ENGAGED: Celebrating the diversity of bees and beekeeping systems.”
“This year’s event aimed at heightening awareness about the influence of the bee economy and enhancing the participation of rural women and young people in the apiculture sector. The launched association, which is represented in the South African Beekeepers Industry Organisation and the Honey Judges and Guild of South Africa as adjudicating team (HJT), is expected to also tackle challenges, such as market access that are faced within the apiculture sector.
“Our government is ready to assist aspirant beekeepers. There is an abundance of opportunities within the sector. Training of beekeepers will be prioritised and intensified. We will also continue to robustly market and position beekeeping in the province as a poverty-reducing tool,” she said.
Mohono further said, they are committed to improving the fortunes of beekeepers and to advancing the shared prosperity for all. She added that, it is also their commitment to achieving a large pool of real beekeepers in the entire province.
The Chairperson of North West Province Beekeepers Association (NWPBA), Kenalemang Mooketsi shared the same sentiments. Mooketsi added that, they are dedicated to elevating the provision of resources, training their members, and offering support.
“We aim to encourage the improvement and advancement of Apiculture within the province. We will do this by promoting the exchange of ideas between members, the public, and other institutions, as well as endorse and safeguard the interests of apiarists in general by ensuring that honey, hives, and other derivatives comply with standards established by the government.
“The number of beekeepers continues to rise in the province, as more people especially youth are showing interest in the sector. The department’s database has grown from five in 2019 to 80 beekeepers. We are happy that Mohono has called on all apiarists across all four districts in the province to register on its database,” he said.
Meanwhile, the department also visited the Thethe Secondary School, where an awareness drive was executed. Mohono said learners were educated on the importance of bees, their role in the agricultural ecosystem, and their monetary value.
A Grade 12 learner from Thethe Secondary School, Ditiro Selemela said: “We are happy to see that the department saw it fit to open our imagination to the world of bees and how we can start sustainable businesses from them. As learners, our role is to share what we were taught today with our communities as well as those who are close to us. We have always known bees to be dangerous, but from now on, we will take care of them and continue to research apiculture.
“Some of us have definitely benefited from this session. Maybe as we start our journey next year as young adults, we might join the industry as beekeepers.”
The Guardian 