Physical meeting: Bryanston Sports Club, Payne Road, Bryanston
Topics: Doug Newman – Expert Birder “The Birds and the Bees” ; Adriaan du Toit – Chairman SABIO “What SABIO is doing for you”; Monthly raffle

Physical meeting: Bryanston Sports Club, Payne Road, Bryanston
Topics: Doug Newman – Expert Birder “The Birds and the Bees” ; Adriaan du Toit – Chairman SABIO “What SABIO is doing for you”; Monthly raffle
We had a really productive SBA Committee meeting last night in which our main topic of discussion was how and what we could be doing to give the best value to our Southerns’ members, so you can look forward to some exciting meetings and events in the near future.
Notice for the next Members meeting (Thursday 3 March) will go out shortly: in addition to the draw for the TanE hive, we will reintroduce the raffle and have some amazing (and different) prizes planned. Our main speaker will be Jeremy Hollman – San Rock Art Specialist who will be talking about the Drakensburg rock art depicting the San’s relationship with bees. This is a really interesting topic and we hope our members will enjoy the presentation. We have had a few members come forward willing to share more beekeeping hacks (they unfortunately couldn’t attend the last meeting), time allowing, and many more items on the agenda – action packed meeting!
We are in the throes of planning our next field trip, details of which will be announced at the next meeting.
We would like to encourage and remind everyone that your 2022 SBA subs are due on 1 January. We received 118 payments before the cut-off to be able to qualify for the draw of the TanE Hive (donated by Edd Scott). Members have until 28 February to renew their membership, after which they will have to pay a Visitors Fee if they attend the meeting in person. Invitations to the Zoom meeting will only be sent to paid-up members of SBA.
So 😁, why should you renew your membership?
Here is the crunch (and the rod 🙁)… we have resolved that any members who have not renewed their membership by 28 February will a) immediately be removed from the SBA WhatsApp group and b) will be removed from the Members mailing list – ie will not receive the invite for the Zoom link for the monthly meetings. We would hate for you to lose out, so please pay to renew your membership. A reminder – renewal means paying the subs AND submitting an updated Membership Application Form.
If you have any questions/queries, you are welcome to contact any of the Committee Members.
Come join us on a fun day out of town for some fresh air where we will be doing spring maintenance on hives, transferring catch boxes to full hives and then after have a good time connecting and building up bee knowledge.
Bring a few drinks and enjoy some spitbraai while sharing our spectacular view with us.
Date: Saturday 18 Sept 2021
Venue: RYAN’S FARM
11KM from Magaliesburg
Pin to be sent on rsvp
Time: 08h30
Cost:
Members: Free
Guest: R50
RSVP: Ryan Erasmus 0846452353 whatsapp only please
What to bring: Beesuits, own drinks, chairs, cutlery
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Don’t miss this World Bee Day 20 May event – SABIO’s Honey Fraud Workshop. You have to register to be able to participate. It’s an online event and it’s free to join as long as you register. Registration will also allow you to view presentations after the events should you not be able to follow the live event. Registration now open at https://honeyfraud.foodfocus.co.za/Adriaan du Toit. SABIO.
Date: Saturday 20 March 2021
Venue: Platteland Country House
Farm Lisbon, Settlers
Contact: Janine (082)469 7937
GPS link will be posted onto Whatsapp group
(ie Settlers / Springbokvlaktes area – approx. 138km from Sandton)
Time: Meet on the farm at 08h30
Cost: R70 per attendee (Facility hire – includes crockery & cutlery etc)
RSVP: David Fraser – info@beekeepers.co.za / (082) 578-6038
What to bring: Beesuits, own food and drinks
Optional Extras: Clay pigeon or Wing shooting – pls make your own arrangements,
directly with the hosts (082)469 7937
Just a reminder to all Southern’s Members – the moment you have 1 beehive, by law you have to register as a beekeeper. Registration is done with DALRRD (formerly DAFF).
First time beekeepers can register at any time and they will be given a unique number which is their beekeeper registration number for life. Registration is valid for a period of 2 years.
Beekeepers whose registration has expired, must resubmit the registration form every – done every 2 years.
Email completed forms to Rofhiwan@dalrrd.gov.Za copy to Mavismat@dalrrd.gov.Za.
Download the Entry form now, Entries close on Friday 06 November 2020.
TERMS & CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
A to Z course in beekeeping for two weeks. Agri/Seta accredited
Randfontein West Rand in Johannesburg
Louis Van Zyl 0727968334 levanzyl.vanzyl1@gmail.com
Thinking about beekeeping as a hobby, but need to understand what is involved, what it could cost you, how much time you need to invest etc?
Sharon will share her experience through an informal discussion – What you need to know if you are wanting to take up beekeeping:
When: Make an appointment to spend half an hour with Sharon at a mutually convenient time for an informal discussion. Sometimes this is easier than a phone call.
Cost: Nil
Sharon Lage | 0834498980 macbeehoney@gmail.com | Woodmead, Johannesburg |
Please join us for an inspiring and highly informative Training Course designed for Beginner and Hobbyist Beekeepers.
DURATION 2 Full days Saturday & Sunday – Theory & Practicals
COURSE DATES ALWAYS – Second Saturday & Sunday of the Month
8-9 February 2020 – 09h00 – 16h30 *
7-8 March 2020 – 09h00 – 16h30 *
11-12 April 2020 – Nil: Easter Weekend
9-10 May 2020 – 09h00 – 16h30 *
Note* Times may over-run during the Practical sessions
COURSE CONTENT Getting Started: History of Beekeeping, Registration & Legislation, Why Bees? Safety Equipment, Bee Stings, Types of Hives and Tools, Where to get equipment etc.
Inside the Hive – Know your Bees!: Types of Bees, Roles within the Colony, What is going on inside the Hive, Bee Forage, Identification of different types of combs and cells etc. During the practical sessions, we open beehives and identify/discuss what is observed, and where necessary, we actively ‘work’ the hive (eg. Perform a split, perform spring maintenance, harvest honey etc – all very exciting!)
Hive Components & Assembly : We examine important parts and components of a successful hive. Time permitting, we also build a flat-pack hive from scratch, and discuss the various hive alternatives available. We also take a turn in the Honey House, upcapping harvested frames and look at different methods to extract the honey.
Catching & Installing a Swarm: Practical aspects to getting started, tips are given on successfully enticing the bees to choose your beehive, and physically transferring of a swarm from a catch box into a beehive.
COST R1200 per person. Maximum 15 delegates.
EQUIPMENT Cost of Course excludes kit (ie Beekeepers Protective Suit and/or beehive).
Bee Suits are not required for the Theory Training, but are essential for the Practical Training. We have a limited number of suits for hire (should you not have your own) and offer them on a first-come basis at R150/suit/course.
ADDRESS 146 Western Service Road, Woodmead, Johannesburg.
TO BOOK Sharon Lage – 083 449 8980 [GP072]