βWe must never underestimate the value of bees in our own food chain.β
(Brendan Ashley Cooper, Beekeeper & Pollinator
Honeybees are pollinators of our planet. Many of our crops need to be pollinated, and the role that this tiny creature plays in our global food system is beyond comprehension.Β
ReWild Africa recently worked withΒ The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) South Africa,Β and Nedbank, on their mission to raise awareness and build understanding on honeybees and the challenges that we face in South Africa around these important pollinators.Β
Our food system is becoming increasingly demanding - we need more crops, which means that we need more bees. Crops are being planted so intensively, that the farmer needs to outsource beekeepers to bring bees onto the farm in order to pollinate their crops, which enables a successful crop at the end of the season, which in turn promotes food security for our growing population.Β
βAgriculture is completely reliant on honeybees. You take the bee out of the equation and then the rest of it starts to collapse. The entire value chain actually relies on the fact that we can produce fruit and food.β
(Brendan Ashley Cooper, Beekeeper & Pollinator).
In certain months of the year, when there is not much suitable forage available. Forage, meaning, food for the bees. βThe agricultural sector is expanding at an alarming rate, but the amount of forage availability for the bees is decreasing. In order to expand the bee industry, and to cater for the expanding agriculture industry, we need food for the bees, suitable, diverse nutrition for them.β (Brendan Ashley Cooper, Beekeeper & Pollinator).
We need more suitable spaces to hold our bees. We need to ensure βbee safe zonesβ on our farms, and in our gardens, where there is little disturbance, and there are nutritious plants available for this precious creature to feast on year round.Β
What can you do?
βBy supporting beekeepers, we are also uplifting that industry, and it's in their best interest to create more hives, to create spaces where they can expand on their business, and at the end of the day, it will benefit us all.β
(Charles Ochse, Farmer)
βBees are my passion and I want to see them survive and I want to see them healthy.β
(Brendan Ashley Cooper, Beekeeper & Pollinator).
Actionables for you:Β
Follow Western Cape Bee Association and support them where you canΒ
Support your local beekeepers by buying honey
Encourage farmers to create safe spaces filled with forage for beesΒ
Plant bee-friendly plants or trees in your garden, see the extended list here
News from ReWild Africa:Β
Mattea and Justin are currently in Joburg on production in Johannesburg for BBC StoryWorks.
ReWild is on the lookout for a producer for our Protector series. Applications are closing soon.
Have a look at the BBC StoryWorks Age of Change series - some incredible projects here.
Next week is the Rewild Getaway π₯- A few days where we dream of the next year of ReWild Africa and Protectors.
If anyone is interested in joining a community called Vegan Tuesdays, please contact +27 72 9595045 (Sam). We are trying to foster a community of people who are interested and keen to learn and share ingredients for a more plant-based diet.
Do you need your story told? We have some capacity for film projects coming up from September - Get in touch here π