Although poorly enforced, owning and cultivating bees requires a permit from local government authorising the activity. The following is an example of the by-laws in Johannesburg.
The keeping of bees in the Johannesburg Metropolitan area is controlled by the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality Public Health By-Laws, (Provincial Gazette Extraordinary No 179 dated 21 May 2004, Notice 830 of 2004).
The General Provisions for the keeping of bees is as follows:
Every bee hive must be situated
The bees must be kept in an approved bee hive; and the bee hive must be
No person may dump or deposit any garbage, compost, grass cuttings or manure within five metres of any bee hive.
Before embarking on removing bees or keeping them as a means of income, it is important that training is given and the beekeeper or remover is sufficiently trained so that any operations involvng bees can take place safely and humanely. There are various training course available country wide where the delegates are taught about all aspects of bee-keeping including the removing of honey and the various pests from which bee colonies can suffer.
Beehives.co.za
Bee keeping course for beginners, a full day course which includes lunch and working in the apiary for an hour.
Beequipment SA
http://www.beequip.co.zaBased in Randpark Ridge, courses are run on a monthly basis and delegate numbers are restricted to enable personal supervision and delegate participation.
Beeware.co.za
http://www.beeware.co.za/easybuzzingbeecourse.htmlBees, honey and beekeeping equipment, also provide regular one day training courses in which the delegate is not only taught the theory but gains about 2hours practical experience working with the hives in the field.
Menno's apiaries
http://www.mennosbees.com/education.html Menno's apiaries give lectures at schools and welcome visitors to their
blog page or you are welcome to visit the premises for assistance and
information.