Welvaartskeppers: New kykNET series reveals how South Africans built their wealth

What does it really take to build wealth in South Africa? A new kykNET series is going behind the businesses, decisions, mistakes and hard-earned lessons that shaped some of the country’s success stories.

Welvaartskeppers is a new 13-part series hosted by financial advisers and brothers PJ and Geo Botha.

Rather than focusing purely on financial theory, the series follows South Africans who have turned ideas, opportunities and persistence into successful businesses and lasting wealth.

Viewers will hear about the wins, but also the setbacks and mistakes that shaped each journey, along with lessons on protecting and growing wealth once it has been created.

Rassie van der Dussen and Vusi Thembekwayo share their stories

Among the entrepreneurs featured is professional cricketer Rassie van der Dussen, who shares his move into entrepreneurship through Abantu Coffee.

Vusi Thembekwayo reflects on building a successful career from humble beginnings and creating a legacy that extends beyond himself.

The series also examines the complexities of generational wealth.

Jannie Moolman of Moolman Group considers what it means to inherit a family business and why having a successful family name does not automatically guarantee future success.

The entrepreneurs behind homegrown South African brands

Welvaartskeppers also introduces viewers to the people behind several homegrown brands.

Andriette Georgiou shares the story of viral local success Mondvol Cookies, while Pierre and Andriana Cronjé unpack the growth of Burnt Studios.

Daneel and Stef Steinmann reveal the thinking behind Old School, and Stephan Bredell discusses building Plato Coffee.

Together, their stories explore different routes to building businesses and creating wealth in South Africa.

Wealth isn’t always built through a traditional business

The series also looks beyond conventional entrepreneurship.

Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp explores how personal talent, influence and reputation can become valuable assets in their own right.

It reinforces one of the central ideas behind Welvaartskeppers: there is no single route to creating wealth.

The ideas behind Welvaartskeppers

The television series builds on ideas first explored in Riaan Botha’s Welvaartskeppers: Strategie wat jou lewe kan verander.

That was followed by PJ and Geo Botha’s Word Ryk, Bly Ryk: Hoe om welvaart te skep en bestuur.

Across the books and television series, the message is straightforward: there may be no single formula for building wealth, but there is plenty to learn from people who have already done it.

When and where to watch Welvaartskeppers

Welvaartskeppers premieres on kykNET, DStv channel 144, on Thursday, 8 October 2026 at 17:30.

The 13-part series will air every Thursday at 17:30.

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