The Apiary Project – Company Background
Founded with a vision to uplift communities and restore the balance between people and pollinators, The Apiary Project is a South African beekeeping company based in Pretoria. At its core, The Apiary Project blends modern apiculture with social impact, focusing not just on honey production, but on building sustainable livelihoods through bees.
What started as a small initiative to manage a few hives has grown into a dynamic enterprise with over 300 hives under management and a growing national footprint. Spearheaded by Alexander van Rooyen, a passionate beekeeper with over five years of hands-on experience, The Apiary Project now works across multiple sectors – agriculture, education, conservation, and enterprise development.
Our Mission
To empower individuals and communities through sustainable beekeeping, providing training, employment, and access to markets – while protecting and expanding vital bee populations.
Our Vision
To become a leading force in African apiculture through innovation, education, and ethical practices — transforming lives and landscapes, one hive at a time.
Our Focus Areas
- CSI & Upliftment Projects: Partnering with corporates, farms, NGOs, and municipalities to deliver high-impact community beekeeping programs.
- Hive Management & Pollination: Professional hive services for farms and orchards, improving crop yields and biodiversity.
- Training & Skills Development: Hands-on beekeeping courses and mentorship for aspiring beekeepers, including youth and rural participants.
- Consulting & Auditing: Expert advice and operational audits for smallholder and commercial beekeepers.
- Queen Rearing & Bee Stock Improvement: Breeding resilient, high-performance queens to strengthen the national bee gene pool.
- Honey Production & Retail: Supplying pure, traceable South African honey for local and international markets.
- Bee Removals & Swarm Relocation: Ethical and safe removal of wild colonies.
Our Long-Term Goal
The Apiary Project aims to expand nationally and into the broader Southern African region through franchising, impact partnerships, and a Centre of Excellence for Beekeeping. Our ultimate vision includes the creation of Africa’s largest privately-owned honey testing facility, and a continent-wide network of empowered, self-sustaining beekeepers.