Beauty is in the eye of the bee-holder
go! - South Africa|June/July 2022
As pollinators, honeybees play a role in every plate of food consumed across the world, and they've done so throughout history. Four prominent beekeepers in the Cape's Overberg region reveal what it takes to preserve and protect these extraordinary creatures.
KYRA TARR
Beauty is in the eye of the bee-holder

In 2012, images of farmers pollinating pear trees by hand in China's Sichuan Province drew international attention. For the first time, human beings were forced to ponder our dependency on these small insects.

As pesticides, habitat loss, pollution, and climate change continue to drive honeybee populations into decline, our vulnerability sparked the international catch phrase: "Save the bees!"

Luckily, South Africa has a robust wild bee population. The Overberg, with its sprawling farmlands and dense fynbos coverage, is one of the areas in which bee farming is a viable industry.

Beekeeping, or apiculture, is when humans maintain bee colonies (nowadays inside movable comb hives) for personal or commercial use. Hives can be harvested for honey, propolis, beeswax, royal jelly, and pollen, among other bee products, but a large portion of the industry is driven by commercial pollination.

What's that, you ask? Well, the scale of modern-day food production requires farmers to hire colonies of bees from beekeepers to pollinate their crops. Hives are transported to farms where pollination is required, and the bees are left for a couple of days to do what they do best.

For the following people, caring for bees and thereby ensuring our next meal - is a way of life.

From generation to generation

"A beekeeper's most valuable resource is land," says Danie Vorster, looking to his wife Nadia who nods in affirmation.

I've come to Stanford, where their business, Overberg Honey Company, is based.

"We're committed to fostering strong relationships with farmers, because at the end of the day, our hives need to stand on their land," Nadia adds.

Denne historien er fra June/July 2022-utgaven av go! - South Africa.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra June/July 2022-utgaven av go! - South Africa.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA GO! - SOUTH AFRICASe alt
Rolling out the big guns
go! - South Africa

Rolling out the big guns

If you're still scanning the horizon for a Chinese automotive invasion you're looking the wrong way. It's already happening, and the new GWM Tank is the off-road spearhead into the highly lucrative and hotly contested lifestyle market.

time-read
2 mins  |
June/July 2024
TAKE A HIKE
go! - South Africa

TAKE A HIKE

The beautiful agony of Tienuurkop

time-read
3 mins  |
June/July 2024
Time out in Dullies
go! - South Africa

Time out in Dullies

A long weekend in Dullstroom is just long enough to make you realise you need to spend several more weekends here! There's food, drink, art and action in abundance. Here's your guide.

time-read
4 mins  |
June/July 2024
Gallivanting in the Galápagos!
go! - South Africa

Gallivanting in the Galápagos!

The Galápagos Islands are on many a traveller's wish list. They were on Hanlie and Vivian Gericke's too, even though the price of visiting made their eyes water. Was it worth it? Read on...

time-read
9 mins  |
June/July 2024
BURCHELL AND THE COUNTRY OF THE BUSHMEN
go! - South Africa

BURCHELL AND THE COUNTRY OF THE BUSHMEN

How many times have you driven through a landscape and wished you could have seen it centuries ago? In 1811, the English artist and explorer, William John Burchell, travelled through South Africa. Join us as we follow in his footsteps.

time-read
10+ mins  |
June/July 2024
Long live the Hibiscus Coast
go! - South Africa

Long live the Hibiscus Coast

The KZN South Coast is a national treasure. It's still the place to go if you want a classic seaside holiday complete with warm waves, cold beer, soft serve and good vibes. Here's your guide.

time-read
8 mins  |
June/July 2024
The island at the end of the earth
go! - South Africa

The island at the end of the earth

Imagine adlace-with the cleanest air arid:the clearest seawater, where_no human.oranimabwants to:harm you: A placewhere the climates balmy. year-round:-with a sekrhistory ahd wwild scenery. A place like this:exist8” and it’s called St Helena.

time-read
10+ mins  |
June/July 2024
A day on the road
go! - South Africa

A day on the road

You never know what the road will bring. Toast Coetzer heads south on the N1 and discovers South Africa.

time-read
5 mins  |
June/July 2024
The wilder shore
go! - South Africa

The wilder shore

The final leg of a 30-day trek across East Africa sees lan Tyrer and the Africa - Wild & Untamed crew explore both shores of Lake Malawi. Get ready for an overloaded ferry, a croc attack and being surrounded by elephants...

time-read
10+ mins  |
February/March 2024
A river runs through it
go! - South Africa

A river runs through it

Sabie is onthe Drakensberg escaromentialongMpumalanga’s famous Panorama Route. Want a weekend away surrounded by forests and waterfalls? Here's wnat you need to know.

time-read
10 mins  |
February/March 2024