New Elders: Erns Grundling walks the Lighthouse Pilgrimage of Hope between Mossel Bay and Cape Agulhas
The hiker and writer Erns Grundling returns in January 2025 for the seventh season of the Safta-winning lifestyle series Elders. The new season, Elders: Ligtoringroete, premieres on Monday 6 January at 20:00 on kykNET (DStv channel 144).
This marks the third season in which Erns explores a local route within the Pilgrimage of Hope network. In 2020, he walked from Cape Town to Cape Agulhas during the pandemic, and in 2022, he journeyed from Uniondale to Mossel Bay.
Now, Erns embarks on the new Lighthouse Pilgrimage trail between the iconic lighthouses of Mossel Bay and Cape Agulhas. The route spans approximately 340 km, typically completed by pilgrims over 17 days.
However, Erns and the Bonanza Films team spent a month walking and filming along the route, as the season also features several excursions in the area. The route initially follows the coast from Mossel Bay to Jongensfontein, then turns inland to Malgas, before continuing through the Overberg near Bredasdorp and returning to the coast between Struisbaai and Cape Agulhas.
“A lot has happened since Elders: Frankryk in 2023,” says Erns. “I became the father of identical twin boys, and viewers will meet André Jakkals and Henry Wolf in the first episode. Leaving my wife, Catharien, and our two four-month-old babies at home for a month was tough, but it was also a great privilege to explore and film this fantastic new route.”
In addition to the hiking, viewers can look forward to some surprising activities. Erns swings a golf club at Pinnacle Point, plays squash against an 82-year-old legend in Boggoms Bay, drives a popular 4×4 route near Vlees Bay, operates a tractor on the Bosheuwel farm and bottle-feeds a lamb at Klipfontein Keep near Struisbaai. He also enjoys what he describes as “probably the best roosterkoek of my life” in Melkhoutfontein near Stilbaai.
As in previous seasons, Erns walks with local residents and well-known guests. These include personalities such as Lyntjie Jaars, Lindie Stander, Frazer Barry, Hamilton Wessels, Bibi Slippers and Johan Badenhorst. He also hiked between farms in the Overberg with the hilarious comedian Nik Rabinowitz.
“I don’t walk with someone just because they are famous,” says Erns. “I invite guests with whom I have a connection or who inspire me. Of course, it also helps if they enjoy hiking.”
A notable new focus of this season is interviews with the innkeepers along the route. Viewers can look forward to getting to know these wonderful hosts.
“A defining feature of the Pilgrimage of Hope routes is the incredible hospitality of the innkeepers. On the Lighthouse Pilgrimage trail, I experienced it all over again. There is great enthusiasm among the innkeepers, who welcomed us with open arms and plates full of delicious food. Viewers can look forward to a similar experience if the series inspires them to walk the trail,” says Erns.
Erns also tips his read hat to the Bonanza Films team.
“It takes a special team to film such a challenging project, which involves walking hundreds of kilometres with heavy equipment. Working on Elders with this band of brothers is still the most enjoyable and satisfying work for me,” he says.
Elders: Ligtoringroete was made possible by Toyota SA, kykNET, Eksekuteurs and Jakkalsvlei Private Cellar.
Elders: Ligtoringroete premieres on 6 January 2025 at 20:00 on kykNET (DStv channel 144). The episodes will also be available on DStv Stream and Catch Up.
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