Ohrigstad bee farmer Frans Labuschagne continues to fly the Tubatse flag high.

He had previously won an avalanche of awards for his honey production. Now he has once again clinched another big award.

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On May 23, he obtained first place in the cut comb class in the Royal Show 2024 Honey Competition in Pietermaritzburg. He had clinched the same award in 2022 and 2023.

Labuschagne was also third in the liquid honey medium competition. He was honoured for his highly commendable select macadamia honey.

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He thanked his family, friends and clients for their support. He is known for producing tasty raw honey. Due to his success in the field, locals have nicknamed him the ‘Honey Man’.

“My passion for beekeeping started years ago. I saw a gap in this field and was determined to succeed in it. I read books and surfed the internet on how to master this art,” he said.

Entering his farm, one is greeted by a bee-friendly garden with indigenous plants. There are several unique plants rarely seen in and around Tubatse. Among the plants kept in the farmer’s garden are Margaret Roberts, English and French lavenders, basil, rosemary, aloes, sage plants and many more.

“Bees play a major role in our ecosystem and creating a bee-friendly garden is a must, given the decline in their population, which is mainly due to climate change and industrial agriculture,” said Labuschagne.