We decided to take a different approach to our sponsorships in 2021 and settled on supporting a local beehive sanctuary in Cape Town. Bees are an integral part of our ecosystem of which is under severe pressure. Without them, food would become an even more scarce resource. We hope you will join us on our journey as we follow our colony in their new home.

Event: Beehive update and honey harvest

Key Points:
* The bees did well with abundant pollen and nectar this time of year
* They produced a large amount of honey as a result
* Apology for delayed response, citing busy harvesting season
* A video update of the hive will be sent soon (but only after the bees are not so angry and defensive)

Event: Floods in the Western Cape, Overberg region declared a disaster area

Impact: Farms severely affected, roads destroyed, and access to the bee sanctuary's farm limited. The team is currently stuck on site due to muddy tracks.

Event: Update on the Synburst bees and adoption status

Key Points:
* The Synburst bees survived
* The original adoption period for the Synburst hive expired in September, and someone else adopted the bees

Explanation of bee colony dynamics:
* Queens have a short lifespan (1-3 years) and are replaced as they age
* Workers live 15-38 days
* Swarming occurs when a queen leaves the hive with workers, and new queens take over existing hives
* Empty hives are placed in the veld to accommodate swarms

Event: Floods in Agulhas again, affecting bee sanctuary operations

Key Points:
* The Bijenbos Bee Sanctuary is flooded for the second consecutive winter
* The team has been stranded at their house and unable to access the bees or hives due to washed-away roads
* No information available on the current state of the hives or bees
* Municipality expected to take about a month to repair damaged infrastructure