Sustainability & Ethics

Sustainability & Ethics Statement – Southern Gold Honey

Cultivating harmony between people and the planet.

At Southern Gold Honey (Pty) Ltd, we believe that business should be a force for balance. That’s why every decision we make—whether it’s sourcing honey, packaging a jar, or working with a farmer—is guided by our deep respect for bees, the environment, and people.

1. Supporting Ethical Beekeepers

We partner with beekeepers across South Africa who share our passion for real, sustainable beekeeping. Our onboarding process is thorough—we only work with beekeepers who:

  • Never adulterate or import honey

  • Harvest only ripe honey

  • Follow practices that protect bee health and biodiversity

  • Filter responsibly, producing clean but raw honey

To reward integrity, we pay above-market rates and often absorb the delivery costs ourselves. We’re not just buying honey—we’re building relationships with people who treat bees with the care they deserve.

2. Always Raw. Always Local. Always Real.

All of our honey is:

  • 100% raw and unadulterated

  • Sourced locally in South Africa—never imported, never irradiated

  • Scientifically tested for purity and traceability

We decrystallise honey gently, using only low heat up to 40°C over 2–3 days. This is the same temperature a hive naturally reaches on hot days, making it a bee-safe method that doesn’t damage the honey. By doing this, we preserve the natural enzymes, nutrients, and delicate floral characteristics—keeping the honey as close to the hive as possible.

3. Packaging with Purpose

We do use plastic for some of our products, such as squeeze bottles and labels—but only plastic that is 100% recyclable and sourced through verified sustainable suppliers. This includes both packaging and labelling materials. We actively seek new ways to reduce our footprint without compromising quality or accessibility.

4. One Tree for Every 25kg

To give back to the earth that gives us so much, we plant one tree for every 25kg of honey sold. This is more than a promise—it’s a growing forest of gratitude.

Each tree represents not just a sale, but a step toward restoring ecosystems, sequestering carbon, and creating a future that’s a little sweeter for all living things.

5. Rooted in Community

We work with local communities, schools, and nonprofits to spread awareness about ethical beekeeping and environmental stewardship. One of our key conservation partners is The Bee Effect, through which we support bee-friendly practices and long-term habitat protection.

While we don’t currently offer educational programmes, this is a direction we’re passionate about growing into.

6. Our Philosophy

Southern Gold Honey was never built to be just another honey brand. We exist to create a win-win-win-win:

  • The beekeepers win with fair pay and dignity

  • The customers win with honest, raw honey

  • We win by doing work that matters

  • And most importantly, the planet wins

We’re not profit-driven. We’re purpose-driven.
And our purpose is simple: to cultivate harmony between people and the planet, one jar at a time.

Let me know if you’d like a shortened version for a label or about page, or a downloadable version for partner use.