What you will learn

The South African beekeeping industry

• An introduction to beekeeping in South Africa

• Hobby, small-scale and commercial beekeeping models

• Beekeeping associations, registration and relevant responsibilities

• Common opportunities within beekeeping and bee farming

Honeybee biology

• The roles of the queen, workers and drones

• The honeybee life cycle

• Eggs, larvae, brood and different types of comb

• How activity inside a colony changes through the season

Essential beekeeping equipment

• Protective clothing

• Bee suits, gloves and boots

• Hive tools and smokers

• Langstroth hive components

• Equipment a beginner needs immediately

• Equipment that can wait until later

Starting an apiary

• Choosing an apiary site

• Positioning hives

• Bee forage and food sources

• Obtaining bees

• Initial colony-management considerations

• Basic feeding principles

Hive inspections and management

• Preparing for an inspection

• Using smoke correctly

• Opening a hive

• Removing and handling frames

• Identifying brood, pollen and stored honey

• Looking for signs of colony health

• Common pests and management considerations

• Basic swarm-management principles

Honey and hive products

• How bees produce and store honey

• Recognising capped and harvest-ready honey

• Basic harvesting and extraction

• Honey storage and packaging

• An introduction to beeswax and other hive products

Your live-hive practical

After the theory session and lunch, learners put on their protective equipment and move to the practical apiary session.

Under supervision, learners may:

• Open a working beehive

• Remove and hold a hive frame

• Inspect brood and stored food

• Identify worker, drone and brood cells

• Look for eggs, larvae and capped brood

• Learn how to search for the queen

• Observe how frames are positioned and returned

• Discuss what the colony is doing and why

Approximately 90–120 minutes is normally allocated to the live-hive component.

Practical activities are conducted according to the weather, colony condition and safety requirements on the day. Finding the queen cannot be guaranteed, but learners are shown what to look for during an inspection.

What is included?

Your beginner beekeeping course booking includes:

• Full-day beginner beekeeping training

• Theory sessions

• Supervised practical hive experience

• Course facilitation

• Lunch

• Tea, coffee or similar refreshments

Protective clothing requirements

Every participant must wear suitable protective clothing during the live-hive practical.

You may:

• Bring your own bee suit or bee jacket and suitable gloves; or

• Hire protective equipment when booking, subject to availability

Protective-equipment rental is not included in the standard course fee.

Midrand equipment rental

Bee suit and gloves: R100 per person

Cape Town equipment rental

Bee suit and gloves: R150 per person

Rental stock is limited. Reserve the correct equipment when booking rather than waiting until the course date.

Closed footwear is required. Participants should follow all safety and clothing instructions supplied before the course.

Choose your course venue

Midrand, Gauteng

The Midrand Easy Buzzing Beginner Beekeeping Course runs on selected Saturdays.

• Full-day course

• Starts at approximately 08:30

• Theory, lunch and practical session

• Course fee: R995 per person

• Protective-equipment rental: R100 per person

• Minimum of six participants required

Exact venue instructions and beginner beekeeping course day information are supplied to registered participants.

[BOOK A MIDRAND COURSE DATE]

Cape Town, Western Cape

The Cape Town Easy Buzzing Beginner Beekeeping Course runs on selected Saturdays.

• Full-day course

• Starts at approximately 08:30

• Theory, lunch and practical session

• Course fee: R1,350 per person

• Protective-equipment rental: R150 per person

• Minimum of six participants required

Dietary requirements should be provided during booking.

[VIEW CAPE TOWN DATES]

Who should attend?

This beginner beekeeping course is suitable for:

• Complete beginners

• Prospective hobby beekeepers

• Smallholders and farmers considering beekeeping

• People interested in producing their own honey

• Agricultural and rural-development participants

• Prospective bee-farming entrepreneurs

• Anyone wanting practical exposure before buying bees and equipment

The course is an introduction to beekeeping. It does not replace continued learning, mentoring or practical colony-management experience.

Before attending

Please:

1. Book the correct venue and date.

2. Reserve rental protective clothing if required.

3. Inform the organiser of relevant dietary requirements.

4. Wear suitable clothing and closed footwear.

5. Follow the joining instructions supplied before the course.

6. Tell the course facilitator about any relevant allergy or medical concern before approaching the apiary.

7. Bring any beekeeping questions you would like discussed.

A minimum of six candidates is required for a course to run.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need previous beekeeping experience?

No. The course is designed for complete beginners and new hobby beekeepers.

Is this a practical beekeeping course?

Yes. It combines theory with approximately 90–120 minutes of supervised work around live beehives, subject to weather, colony and safety conditions.

Does everyone handle a hive frame?

The practical session is structured to give learners direct experience with hive frames and colony inspection. Participation remains subject to the conditions and safety requirements on the day.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and refreshments are included in the course fee.

Must I own a bee suit?

No. You may bring suitable protective clothing or reserve rental equipment. Rental is charged separately and availability is limited.

Where is the course held?

Courses are available in Midrand, Gauteng, and Cape Town, Western Cape. Select the correct venue before booking. Exact joining instructions are supplied to registered learners.

How long is the course?

It is a full-day course, normally starting at approximately 08:30 and continuing until late afternoon.

How much does the course cost?

Midrand and Cape Town have different course fees. The current price and availability are displayed with each venue and course date.

Will I receive bees or beekeeping equipment?

No bees, hives or personal equipment are included unless a specific booking option expressly states otherwise. Bee Ware equipment can be purchased separately.

Is the live-hive session guaranteed?

The course includes a planned practical component. The exact activities may be adjusted for weather, colony condition and participant safety.

Ready to start beekeeping?

Choose your preferred venue, select an available date and add your booking to the basket.

Places are limited and each course requires a minimum number of participants.

[BOOK MIDRAND COURSE]

[BOOK CAPE TOWN COURSE]

Need help before booking?

WhatsApp: 061 980 6551
Telephone: 081 426 4333