WORLD BEE DAY

The theme of World Bee Day on 20 May 2025 was “Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all” and stressed the critical roles bees and pollinators play in agri-food systems and the health of ecosystems worldwide.

The Woodlands Office Park in Woodmead, Johannesburg, is set in a 43 hectare game park known for its blend of business and nature. Its rich birdlife and roaming buck offer an environment for productivity and with its resident bee colonies, it also plays a meaningful role in supporting South Africa’s embattled pollinator population.

The country has a shortage of bees, beekeepers and secure forage sites – conditions that are critical for agricultural pollination. The eight hives at Woodlands represent a fraction of what’s needed nationally, but they matter because they form part of a larger ecosystem of conservation-aware stewardship. Bees pollinate roughly 70 – 80% of the foods we eat.

The Woodlands colonies are among the 700 that support macadamia orchards in Barberton, and to pollinate 78 000 ha of macadamia trees, 312 000 colonies are needed, yet the total number of managed colonies nationwide barely exceeds that. When apples, avocados, butternuts and berries are added to this, the deficit becomes even more alarming.

During off-season periods when farms must be treated with pesticides, these bees require safe, forage-rich refuges. The Woodlands, with its stands of Acacia, Paperbark, Fever and Soetdoring trees, offer exactly that. By maintaining safe apiaries like those at The Woodlands, Growthpoint Properties contributes to pollinator conservation and national food security.

www.growthpoint.co.za