Original title
Arende
Released
4/27/1989
Origin country
ZA
Genre
Action & Adventure, Drama, War & Politics
Production companies
South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)
Status
Ended
Number of seasons
3
Number of episodes
33
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sloet is almost out of the camp when one of the soldiers discover his escape tunnel. The island is searched.
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.
Sam is almost caught smuggling raisins and banana beer into Deadwood Camp.
The stomach virus in Deadwood Camp gets worse and the inmates demand better medication. Sloet is devastated when Skurf is shot and killed.
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.
Sergeant Stewart forbids any violence during the march of the prisoners-of-war.
Finale. Governor Wilks warns Kerwin to stay away from Jo-Ann.
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.
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.
Kitchener is questioned about the death of Princess. Stewart sees Sam's boat and how P.J. and Benny help Sloet aboard the ship.
P.J. and Benny admit that Sloet was on board the ship, but reckon that he must have jumped overboard again.
Kerwin says that Sloet should be sent back to St. Helena. Jacobus plans to catch Kitchener.
Benny takes P.J. to his house, and they learn that his wife is gone.
A sad Jacobus tells Sam about his banjo, and they immediately suspect Kitchener.
Annette tries to escape from the farm to join Sloet.
Liefie gossips to Izak about Cornelia.
Finale. Granger doesn't follow Sloet's plan, but can't find him. Kerwin is shot, and Meisie finds her voice again.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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'.
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.
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
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.
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.
In the scramble to get out of the river, Annette forgets the money on the wagon.
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.
Benny, P.J., Kerwin and Stewart go to town to place Hamish' death notice.
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.
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