Honeybees are an essential part of food production worldwide, pollinating most of the world’s fruits, vegetables, nuts and more. More than 50 crops in South Africa — and over 90% of flowering plants worldwide — rely on honeybees and other pollinators to grow, including almonds, apples, avocados, blueberries, canola, litchis, mangoes, onions, plums… the list goes on!

 

They’re the unsung heroes of our planet, and at Honeybee Heroes, it’s our goal to give them the credit — and care — they deserve.

​

South Africa’s Western Cape is home to a very unique honeybee subspecies called the Apis mellifera capensis, or Capensis for short. Capensis bees are the only subspecies of honeybee worldwide that can reproduce without the help of a queen. That makes them really special, and — because they only exist here — really important to keep around.

The good news is, they’re strong, feisty little creatures with incredible evolutionary behaviours. But thanks to habitat loss, monoculture farming, the improper use of pesticides and unethical beekeeping practices, they’re at risk.

​

At Honeybee Heroes, we work to protect Capensis honeybees through colony growth and sustainable beekeeping, creating safe environments where the honeybees can thrive undisturbed.

 

While we do extract honey from our hives, we only do so from strong hives that have a surplus of honey available, and only at appropriate times when it won’t be of detriment to the colony. We will never move our hives for commercial pollination or destroy low-producing hives.

​

While we’re focused on honeybees, our heart extends to all of the critter and creature neighbours with whom we share this beautiful land. By focusing our conservation efforts on a single species and educating consumers about the importance of mindful consumerism, we can help South Africans learn eco-friendly habits, to the benefit of all species who call our country home.