South Africa’s Oldest Family Business Boplaas 1743 Estate Secures Continental Top Spot for Longevity

Discover how Boplaas 1743 Estate has survived 280 years in South Africa. From export fruit to medicinal cannabis, learn about this 10-generation success story.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 3:23 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from BusinessTech

The Remarkable Longevity of South African Generational Commerce

While the global landscape of entrepreneurship is often characterized by rapid emergence and decline, Boplaas 1743 Estate stands as a rare pillar of multi-century stability. According to a report by Payroll Prices, the estate is officially the oldest family-owned business in South Africa, surpassing its continental peers like Tanzania’s Karimjee Group. This achievement is particularly notable given that while 82% of startups survive their first year, only 35% reach a decade of operation, making the 280-year tenure of Boplaas a statistical anomaly in the regional economy.

A Heritage Forged in the Koue Bokkeveld Highlands

The history of Boplaas began in 1743 when the land was originally granted to Izaak van der Merwe in the Koue Bokkeveld region near Ceres. This high-altitude area, whose name translates to "Cold Buckveld," provides the specific climatic conditions necessary for high-quality fruit cultivation. Over ten generations, the Van der Merwe family has maintained majority ownership and operational control, with the tenth-generation custodian Schalk van der Merwe currently leading the estate while preparing the eleventh generation for future stewardship.

Architectural Preservation and National Monument Status

The estate serves as a living museum of South African history, anchored by a main farmhouse constructed in 1780 in the Cape vernacular style. The structure was recognized as a national monument in 1973 and later elevated to a provincial heritage site, housing a vast collection of handcrafted furniture made from 21 different wood species, including yellow and stinkwood. This commitment to preservation extends beyond the architecture to the core family values of integrity and perseverance, which have remained unchanged since the mid-eighteenth century.