For many young South Africans, “building wealth” can sound like something reserved for people who already have money, connections or a family business waiting in the wings.

Welvaartskeppers, kykNET’s new 13-part series, wants to challenge that perception by getting beyond the polished success story and asking a more uncomfortable question: What did it actually take to get there?

Hosted by financial advisers and brothers PJ and Geo Botha, the series puts real South African wealth stories under the microscope — from entrepreneurship and sport to family businesses, personal brands and homegrown products.

And importantly, it isn’t only interested in the wins.

The Part Of Success We Don’t Usually See

Social media is full of businesses celebrating milestones, entrepreneurs announcing new ventures and successful people sharing motivational advice.

What we rarely see is everything that happened before the success became visible.

That is where Welvaartskeppers could prove particularly relevant to a generation trying to navigate South Africa‘s complicated economic reality.

The series explores the decisions behind wealth creation, but also the mistakes, setbacks and lessons that shaped those journeys.

Among the featured stories is cricketer-turned-entrepreneur Rassie van der Dussen, who opens up about his transition from professional sport into business through Abantu Coffee.

Entrepreneur and author Vusi Thembekwayo brings another perspective, exploring his journey from humble beginnings and his ambitions around creating a legacy that extends beyond himself.

From Family Wealth To Starting From Scratch

One of the more interesting conversations comes from Jannie Moolman of Moolman Group, whose story raises a question that doesn’t always get enough attention: what happens when opportunity is inherited, but success still has to be earned?

The series also shines a light on entrepreneurs behind some of South Africa‘s increasingly recognisable homegrown brands.

Viewers meet Andriette Georgiou of Mondvol Cookies, Pierre and Andriana Cronjé of Burnt Studios, Daneel and Stef Steinmann of Old School, and Stephan Bredell of Plato Coffee.

Then there’s Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp, whose story explores another modern form of capital: your talent, reputation and personal brand.

There Isn’t One South African Blueprint

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Welvaartskeppers is that wealth doesn’t have a single formula.

A professional athlete can become an entrepreneur. A family business can become a platform for a new generation. A creative skill can become a commercial asset. And a small local idea can potentially grow into a serious business.

The series expands on ideas first explored in Riaan Botha’s Welvaartskeppers: Strategie® wat jou lewe kan verander, followed by PJ and Geo Botha’s Word Ryk, Bly Ryk: Hoe om welvaart te skep en bestuur.

For young South Africans trying to make something work in an economy where opportunities can feel limited, the value may be less about copying someone else’s path and more about understanding the decisions that shaped it.

Welvaartskeppers premieres on kykNET (DStv channel 144) on Thursday, 8 October 2026 at 17:30, running for eight weeks.