These are stories that show that heritage is not just inherited but built and worked on daily. The presenter, Peter Pentz, brings a fresh perspective as a young voice in agriculture, someone who himself moves between generations and understands how tradition and innovation reinforce each other.
This fascinating heritage series of six episodes delves deeper into the rich, diverse heritage of South Africa’s famous family farms, from winelands to fruit orchards, vegetable farms, and livestock farms. Erfenis in die grond tells the enriching stories of six successful farms’ unique history, traditions, and the contributions each makes to South Africa’s agricultural landscape to this day.
Peter believes Erfenis in die grond is an honest and heartfelt look into the lives of South African farmers and their families. “I grew up among vineyards on Groote Post, and that’s probably why the stories in this series touch me so deeply. They are honest, raw, beautiful stories of people who live for their land and for each other. It really shows the soul of our agricultural industry, as well as the heritage that each generation leaves behind. It’s an incredible programme with beautiful stories and wonderful people who share a deep history, have a great passion for agriculture, and diligently build on it. The programme is also visually beautiful.
I worked with such an incredible team – they are creative, talented people and together we travelled thousands of kilometres across the country to search for all the special stories; also to get to know everyone on the farm. It’s the stories of family and heritage that play such an integral role in South Africa’s agricultural community.”
Gerrie Janse van Vuuren, co-producer, says this idea came to him when he stayed in the Nuy Valley outside Worcester for a while. “I lived on the Conradie farm while I was busy with another series. I had a lot of time to look at all the beautiful things on the farm – the impressive farmhouse, the photos of people who were part of its history, and I wondered what each one’s story was. This is exactly what we want to do with Erfenis in die grond: to share the stories of the people on the farms and the path they have walked as a family with the rest of the country.”
He believes viewers will especially enjoy the history of the people and really get a glimpse into the interactions in their inner circle.
Co-producer Nicolaas Viljoen says this series brings the rich heritage stories that are deeply rooted in our country’s soil to viewers. “Each family invites the viewer to their farm and shares where they come from and how they celebrate their legacy. The series’ presenter, Peter Pentz, is a native of Darling himself and we will also be visiting his family farm, Groote Post. We hope the viewers will fall in love all over again with our beautiful country, its people and their special stories of hope, heritage, and perseverance. For us as a team, it was a great privilege that all the families opened their doors to us and warmly invited us inside to listen to the stories with a cup of coffee in hand and freshly baked rusks from the tin.”
Watch Erfenis in die grond on VIA (DStv channel 147) from Monday 3 November at 20:00, with rebroadcasts on Tuesdays at 19h00. Erfenis in die grond is proudly supported by Laeveld Agrochem.
Not for sale to persons under the age of 18. Enjoy Responsibly.