Kongola beekeepers gain skills to protect forests
The Namibian Nature Foundation (NNF), in partnership with beekeeping specialist Dr Ortwin Aschenborn, trained community members in Kongola to improve honey production and promote sustainable forest management.The two-day intensive workshop, held at the end of May, brought together beekeepers from the Mudumu North Complex. Supported by the Dream Fund/COmON Foundation and Bengo/KAZA Arise projects, the training focused on harvesting and processing honey and by-products such as beeswax.
A one-day refresher session followed for a second group of newly selected beekeepers. This allowed two advanced trainees to step into training roles for the first time, signalling progress toward building local expertise. Two participants from Bwabwata National Park, supported by NNF’s Climate Adaptation for Protected Areas (CAPA) project, also joined the sessions, a move that strengthens collaboration across conservation initiatives.
Economic opportunities
Beekeeping has become a key livelihood option for local communities, offering economic opportunities that do not rely on cutting down trees. With ongoing support from NNF, participants have received protective gear and smokers, while also gaining access to Kongola’s Honey Hub facilities. Here, they can use modern equipment to harvest and bottle honey, and process beeswax into products such as candles, skin lotion, and foundation strips.
The training builds on earlier work. In 2024, beginner beekeepers from Mudumu North were introduced to the practice. This year, they returned for follow-up training, harvesting honey from three hives and using the Honey Hub’s extractor to process their yield. Two advanced beekeepers also led demonstrations, applying a “train-the-trainer” model designed to expand knowledge and ensure long-term self-reliance within communities.
Through the “Bees and Trees” project, NNF and its partners aim to strengthen community forests in the Zambezi Region by linking conservation with sustainable resource use. By equipping communities with skills and tools for alternative livelihoods, these efforts help safeguard ecosystems while supporting resilience and income generation.