Legacy Agriculture Meets Modern Cannabis as Boplaas Farm Marks 283 Years of Family Ownership

Discover how South Africa’s oldest family business, Boplaas Farm, balances 18th-century heritage with modern medical cannabis and solar innovation.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 8:22 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Daily Investor

Ancient Agricultural Roots Sustain an Eleventh Generation Successor

The enduring legacy of Boplaas Farm represents a rare feat of multi-generational continuity within the global agricultural sector. Established in 1743 by Izaak van der Merwe, the enterprise has weathered nearly three centuries of economic and social shifts while remaining under the direct stewardship of his descendants. Currently managed by tenth-generation custodian Schalk van der Merwe, the operation has successfully integrated eleventh-generation family members into the farm’s daily life. This longevity is anchored in the Koue Bokkeveld region near Ceres, where the family continues to balance historical preservation with the demands of a high-volume international export business.

A Living Monument to Cape Vernacular Heritage and History

The physical infrastructure of Boplaas serves as a curated archive of South African frontier life and architectural evolution. At the heart of the property sits the primary homestead, a 1780 structure built in the Cape vernacular style that earned national monument status in 1973. Beyond its designation as a provincial heritage site, the farm maintains a collection of functional historic buildings, including a traditional watermill, a soap house, and a baking house. Inside the main dwelling, handcrafted furniture featuring 21 different indigenous wood species, such as yellowwood and stinkwood, remains in use, linking the current residents to the domestic habits of their eighteenth-century ancestors.

Global Export Networks and Diversified Fruit Portfolios

From its base 200 kilometers northeast of Cape Town, the Van der Merwe family has built a sophisticated logistical network that reaches more than 80 countries. The business specializes in pome fruit, specifically apples and pears, but has expanded its footprint through the acquisition of additional properties like Marlenique and Du Cap. These sister sites allow the enterprise to offer a year-round portfolio of stone fruits and citrus, including oranges and lemons. To support this scale, the family operates the Marlenique Packhouse, which provides essential cooling and packing services not only for their own harvest but also for surrounding commercial growers in the Paarl region.