Erfenis in die Grond, presented by Peter Pentz from Groote Post, features six farming families, of which three are in the Free State, as they share their experiences, challenges, and the opportunities that exist in the agriculture sector through a familial lens. The three Free State farms are located in Vrede, Philippolis, and Smithfield.

Peter Penz, who himself forms a part of a multi-generational farming lineage, tells the OFM Business Hour that the experience of travelling over 6,000 km across South Africa shooting the show was an edifying one that felt much like a big learning school.

“As someone who’s a part of a family farm, I could relate to many of the stories and contribute to the conversation on the challenges and also the opportunities in family farming. It was such a big learning school for me as well, learning from other families and seeing how they do it.” 

The featured families are:

• Malanseuns Plesierplante (six generations), Magaliesberge, Pretoria North: ornamental plants and products;
• Heuningkrans (six generations), Smithfield, Free State: merino sheep;
• Allesverloren (five generations), Riebeek-Kasteel, Western Cape: wine;
• Boompie Alleen (five generations), Vrede, Free State: sheep, cattle, and soy;
• Grootkaliesfontein (four generations), Philippolis, Free State: sheep; and
• Groote Post (four generations), Darling, Western Cape: wine.

Challenges in sector

The series comes at a challenging time for the thriving agriculture sector, with South Africa being affected by a 30% tariff hike on exports by the US and increasing biosecurity concerns, threatening the stability of the beef and poultry subsectors.

Most recently, South African red meat producers, farmers, and abattoirs have demanded accountability from government on funds meant to curb the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. 

These parties are unhappy that they have been paying for prevention efforts, in the form of vaccines, for years, and to date, there is little transparency or indications of a way forward from the government, despite continued outbreaks. 

There are reportedly 274 unresolved outbreaks across five provinces.

Chiming in on the state of the wine industry in particular, Pentz says they are faced with many challenges, particularly the US tariffs, but this year’s harvest is looking good, so there is some optimism. 

Erfenis in die grond will broadcast from Monday, 3 November, at 20:00. Pentz says he is hopeful and looking forward to the possibility of a second season of the show.

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