Apimondia Africa Region

Symposium 2023

Dr Robert Mutisi, Working for Bees, Manicaland, Rusape, Zimbabwe

The Symposium took place 21-24 March at the Durban International Conference Centre, South Africa. Almost 500 delegates from thirty African and eight other countries enjoyed the opportunity to meet and hear the latest news and developments.

(L-R) Ms Adonsi from South Africa, Mr Mudongo and Dr Robert Mutisi from Zimbabwe

Topics included: styles and costs of beehives; the role of bees in farming and human life; diversity of beekeeping; honey adultera tion; the regulatory framework in the honey value chain; and beekeeping in school initiatives.

Technical tours focused on honey and beeswax processing, hive inspection and construction. The main topics of interest were sustainable beekeeping; hive choices for rural development; the effects of pesticides on bees, and how beekeeping can be used as a tool to address hunger, poverty and protect the environment.

Bee products, honey and mead competitions attracted high-quality entries, as did the bee equipment and produce exhibitions.

Light honey on the shelves ready for judging.

Beeswax competition entries

Symposium significance

The Symposium brought together stakeholders to share experiences, ideas and knowledge on how the apiculture sector can be improved in local areas and countries. Delegates represented academia, beekeepers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, honey processors and traders and policy makers. Beekeepers had an opportunity to learn and interact with fellow beekeepers from across Africa. Honey processors and traders had an opportunity to access information on honey characteristics, quality and regulatory frameworks that will assist in meeting customer requirements.

Institutions of learning had the opportunity to identify potential research topics and provide advice on current best practice thinking. Policy makers had an opportunity to share knowledge and ideas on how regulatory frameworks can be used to promote bee health, beekeeping, bee population growth and to protect all pollinators. Development partners benefitted from knowledge and experience on how they can enhance their planning for community projects to have positive impact and how to record success.

"On a personal level, I learnt how to handle a systematic honey and mead competition and about the different causes of honey adulteration. With a degree of sadness, I also learnt that there was more focus on expensive 'modern' rather than low-cost hives that can be replicated at community level. I gained valuable experience of how to work with honey as a honey steward and judge and in presenting and chairing workshop sessions."

Images © Robert Mutisi.