Ndawedapo Shaanika

On 20 May, Namibia joins the world in celebrating World Bee Day 2026, under the theme “Bee together for people and the planet – A partnership that sustains us all.” 

This theme emphasises the longstanding partnership between humans and bees, highlighting their role in food security, biodiversity, and livelihoods. 

For Namibia, where agriculture and climate resilience are national priorities, bees represent both ecological guardians and economic enablers.

World Bee Day was established by the United Nations in 2017, following Slovenia’s proposal to honour Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern beekeeping born on May 20, 1734. Janša’s innovations in hive design and teaching laid the foundation for modern apiculture. 

The date also bridges seasons: in the Northern Hemisphere, colonies are at peak productivity, while in the Southern Hemisphere, beekeepers prepare for winter harvests. This dual significance makes May 20 a truly Global Day of Recognition.

Bees are the invisible engine of Namibia’s food system. Nearly three quarters of leading food crops depend on pollinators. Locally, melons, pumpkins, squashes, sunflowers, and citrus orchards rely heavily on bee activity. 

Without pollination, yields decline, fruits become smaller or misshapen, and farmers face higher costs. Even livestock is indirectly affected, as forage crops like lucerne, essential for cattle feed, depend on bees for seed production. 

Losing bees would ripple across Namibia’s food chain, raising costs and threatening food security.

Beekeeping is increasingly recognised as a viable livelihood for Namibia’s youth. Unlike cattle or crop farming, it requires minimal land and water, making it accessible in rural areas. Training programs launched by regional governments, such as in Kunene region, are equipping hundreds of young people with modern apiculture skills. 

These initiatives move beyond traditional honey hunting to professional hive management, queen rearing, and pollination services. For rural youth, beekeeping offers low entry barriers, diversified income through hive products, and opportunities to provide pollination services to commercial farms.  It also creates jobs in manufacturing, with young people building hives and protective gear, and opens doors to value added industries such as beeswax candles, cosmetics, and propolisbased health products.

At the national level, beekeeping is increasingly seen as part of food security planning. This recognition positions apiculture as a strategic sector for both biodiversity conservation and economic growth. Climate change and recurring droughts pose risks to bee populations. Erratic rainfall disrupts flowering cycles, creating “hunger seasons” where colonies abscond in search of food. 

Heat stress increases water needs, while pests like the Small Hive Beetle thrive in warmer conditions. To adapt, Namibian beekeepers are adopting strategies such as supplementary feeding, water provisioning, and planting droughtresistant, beefriendly trees. These measures not only protect bees but also safeguard rural livelihoods.

Beyond honey, bees generate diverse products and services. Beeswax is used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and sustainable packaging. Propolis is valued for its anti-microbial properties in natural medicine. 

Royal jelly and pollen are marketed as superfoods, while pollination services are essential for crops like melons and lucerne. Even ecotourism is emerging, with bee safaris and training centres attracting visitors and creating educational opportunities. 

These avenues diversify rural economies, reduce reliance on imports, and create shelfstable products with long market life.

World Bee Day 2026 is more than a symbolic celebration; it is a call to action for Namibia. Bees sustain agriculture, biodiversity, and livelihoods, and their protection is central to climate resilience and food security.

For youth, beekeeping offers a pathway to entrepreneurship and empowerment. For the government, it strengthens rural economies and safeguards national sustainability. 

As Namibia embraces the theme “Bee together for people and the planet – A partnership that sustains us all,” the message is clear: protecting bees means protecting ourselves. 

By investing in youth training, supporting pollinatorfriendly policies, and encouraging individual action, Namibia can ensure that bees continue to sustain both people and the planet for generations to come.

The United Beekeepers of Namibia (UBoN) is invested in growing the Apiculture industry in Namibia through information sharing and mentorship programs. Follow us on Facebook and become a member.