The discovery of a bee hive at a community garden in Pretoria has prompted the University of Pretoria (UP) to offer a free beekeeping course to members of the community.
The hive, discovered at the Moja Gabedi community garden – a UP community engagement initiative – was built on what was then a dumpsite.
When the site was developed further, professional beekeepers were called in to move the bees into a hive.
Since June last year, three more hives have been added.
This urged Gernia van Niekerk to come up with ways to teach people who visit the garden how to take care of the hives.
“Often people just want to get rid of bees, but they are here for a good reason,” said Van Niekerk, UP’s unit manager of community engagement.
These people will look after the hives that have been added to the plot.
Mike Lang of Urban Bees and UP are offering an all-expenses paid course to the community.
They have provided all the equipment necessary for the course.
There are no specific criteria a person needs to become a part of this initiative.
All community members who volunteer and students who are interested in learning more about bees are welcome.
The course taught them all they need to know about safety policies and how bee colonies work.
The lucky people included two students, three community members and two urban farmers.
“It was fantastic – I just want to learn more,” says community member and budding beekeeper Reckson Tshehla.
“I experienced many things for the first time at Moja Gabedi. Everything was well organised there. It was so interactive. It is a wonderful place for me.”
Student Daddy Kgonothi said that initially, he was not interested in bees.
“When I learned more, I understood that one should make the garden user-friendly for bees.
“And if you know how to approach the bees correctly, you’ll come to see that they are fascinating insects.”
Moja Gabedi community garden is located in Festival Street near the UP Hatfield Campus.
A follow-up training will go into more depth about bees including how honey is made and beeswax collection.
Once the course is complete, they will get exciting opportunities to relocate bees with Urban Bees.
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