Arende

Arende

Epic drama follows a group of Boers during significant events in South African history. The first series is primarily set on St. Helena and follows the lives of Boer prisoners-of-war at Deadwood Camp. Among them is Sloet Steenkamp, a Cape Rebel whose death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment on the island. The second series shifts to post-war mainland South Africa, where the Boers, though returned, still struggle for freedom. New characters are introduced, including Meisie, who is mute due to trauma, and her mother Cornelia, who seeks revenge. In the third series, Sloet and his friends, yearning to escape British rule, embark on the Dorsland Trek, a perilous journey across the Kalahari Desert in search of freedom beyond South Africa's borders.

DramaWar & PoliticsAction & Adventure

Seasons

1. Episode 01

Air Date: 1989-04-27

A Cape farmer, Sloet Steenkamp, is convicted of treason after joining the Boer republics in the Anglo-Boer War. At the very last minute, his execution is stopped: instead of being condemned to death, he is banished to a prison camp on St. Helena - for life. His wife, Annette, has to stay behind to look after the farm.

2. Episode 02

Air Date: 1989-05-04

The conditions at Deadwood Camp are appalling. Sloet, who refuses to be imprisoned in any way, starts planning his escape. Young Danie wants to join him, but he can't swim and Sloet is not too willing to teach him. Back in the Cape, Mees Mouton is showing a lot of "neighbourly" concern for Annette Steenkamp.

3. Episode 03

Air Date: 1989-05-11

Annette is very cool towards Mees. Stewart threatens to make life very difficult for Kortgiel if he doesn't come forward with the missing map.

4. Episode 04

Air Date: 1989-05-18

Sloet is almost out of the camp when one of the soldiers discover his escape tunnel. The island is searched.

5. Episode 05

Air Date: 1989-05-25

Annette tells Adam that she doesn't believe Sloet will ever come back. She also admits to Mees that she's tired of being on her own.

6. Episode 06

Air Date: 1989-06-01

Sam is almost caught smuggling raisins and banana beer into Deadwood Camp.

7. Episode 07

Air Date: 1989-06-08

The stomach virus in Deadwood Camp gets worse and the inmates demand better medication. Sloet is devastated when Skurf is shot and killed.

8. Episode 08

Air Date: 1989-06-15

Buks and Keet hold the Wilks family hostage in the governor's mansion. They convince Wilks to write a letter to the queen requesting medical enforcements, but the English soldiers step in. Annette writes to Sloet, asking him for a divorce.

9. Episode 09

Air Date: 1989-06-22

Sergeant Stewart forbids any violence during the march of the prisoners-of-war.

10. Episode 10

Air Date: 1989-06-29

Finale. Governor Wilks warns Kerwin to stay away from Jo-Ann.

1. Episode 01

Air Date: 1992-02-12

The war is over and the prisoners are allowed to go home - if they swear an oath of loyalty to the British crown. Sloet refuses, but is nevertheless determined to leave the island. P.J. and Sloet are not satisfied with the punishment Kitchener got after Paul's death. Buys realises that Sloet is up to something. As the last ship departs for the Cape, he disappears and climbs down a rope leader, guarded by Princess, and swims towards Sam's boat.

2. Episode 02

Air Date: 1992-02-19

Kitchener is questioned about the death of Princess. Stewart sees Sam's boat and how P.J. and Benny help Sloet aboard the ship.

3. Episode 03

Air Date: 1992-02-26

P.J. and Benny admit that Sloet was on board the ship, but reckon that he must have jumped overboard again.

4. Episode 04

Air Date: 1992-03-04

Kerwin says that Sloet should be sent back to St. Helena. Jacobus plans to catch Kitchener.

5. Episode 05

Air Date: 1992-03-11

Benny takes P.J. to his house, and they learn that his wife is gone.

6. Episode 06

Air Date: 1992-03-18

A sad Jacobus tells Sam about his banjo, and they immediately suspect Kitchener.

7. Episode 07

Air Date: 1992-03-25

Annette tries to escape from the farm to join Sloet.

8. Episode 08

Air Date: 1992-04-01

Liefie gossips to Izak about Cornelia.

9. Episode 09

Air Date: 1992-04-08

10. Episode 10

Air Date: 1992-04-15

Finale. Granger doesn't follow Sloet's plan, but can't find him. Kerwin is shot, and Meisie finds her voice again.

1. Episode 01

Air Date: 1993-10-27

Kerwin is recovering in Oudok's house after the shooting and in his wounded state he hallucinates. Sloet is sick and tired of British oppression and the high prices for everything. Kerwin has to appear before a military court.

2. Episode 02

Air Date: 1993-11-03

Lady Grace Kerwin is on her way to South Africa with her servant, Ismail. Cornelia asks Izak for a wagon and Sloet offers to go find a guide to take them across the dessert into German-West Africa.

3. Episode 03

Air Date: 1993-11-10

Katrina Stewart realises that her son has conned the stock exchange. The court case begins, and Benny Mentz has to testify against Stewart and Kerwin. Sloet and Fiek decide to trek to German West Africa.

4. Episode 04

Air Date: 1993-11-17

Morkel tries to get rid of Hamish, and Stewart is furious to hear that his son is a conman. P.J. Buys testifies in the court case and loses his temper. Liefie wants to go on the trek with Izak, and the court case takes some dramatic turns.

5. Episode 05

Air Date: 1993-11-24

Katrina visits Annette to find out if Sloet will be back in time to testify. Everybody is worried when he doesn't appear at court. Things are looking very bad for Kerwin and Stewart. Meanwhile, Sloet pays Annette's bail and Grace discovers that Ismail is being held for manslaughter. Liefie tells Benny his eyes are as beautiful as her late Jurgens'.

6. Episode 06

Air Date: 1993-12-01

Kitchener wants to join the track when he hears that Hamish has a lot of money. Sloet visits the grave of his only son. Izak asks Liefie to leave him alone so he can lead his own life. Ismail offers to take Lady Grace's punishment. In exchange she will make sure he gets the best defence.

7. Episode 07

Air Date: 1993-12-08

Sloet sells his farm, and the long-awaited Dorsland Trek is about to begin. Oudok tells the Ambagsman that Hamish and his people are on their way to Sloet's farm. That night, the Ambagsman sneaks around with his revolver

8. Episode 8

Air Date: 1993-12-15

The relationship-triangle between Sloet, Annette and Cornelia causes tension. Kerwin loses control and blames Sloet for everything that's gone wrong in his life.

9. Episode 9

Air Date: 1993-12-22

Kerwin and Stewart consider changing their route, but decide to stick with Sloet and the others. Fiek is worried that they won't make it through the river before the rain comes.

10. Episode 10

Air Date: 1993-12-29

In the scramble to get out of the river, Annette forgets the money on the wagon.

11. Episode 11

Air Date: 1994-01-05

Sloet and Cornelia arrive at Hilde's camp. Hilde offers to take Sloet and Cornelia back to their trek party, but only if Sloet helps her dive out diamonds. Ismail declares his love to Grace, and Kerwin sees them embrace. At the camp, Annette and Fiek see something in the distance.

12. Episode 12

Air Date: 1994-01-12

Benny, P.J., Kerwin and Stewart go to town to place Hamish' death notice.

13. Episode 13

Air Date: 1994-01-19

Finale. The trek party finally gets to the road, to their great relief. But Witbooi and his men lie in wait and they land in an ambush.

Select an episode to start watching

Rating

0.0/10

Release Date

1989-04-27

Episodes

33 (3 seasons)

Status

Ended

Cast

Production Companies

South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)