Rian van Heerden’s new doccie series Beloofde Land investigates if America is the promised land
Emigration is one of the most personal and complex decisions a family can make.
Acclaimed broadcaster and filmmaker Rian van Heerden takes viewers on a journey across South Africa and the U.S. to unpack one of the most polarising questions of recent time: Is America really the promised land?
Beloofde Land, a brand-new six-part documentary series, premieres 7 January 2026 at 20:00 on kykNET (DStv Channel 144). Episodes includes English subtitles.
The debate around emigration intensified locally when former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order granting special refugee status to Afrikaners. Beloofde Land examines the reasons behind South Africans that are considering or already made the move to America – from survivors of farm attacks and violent crime to farmers weighing whether to stay or leave.
It also explores how emigration impacts identity, family, finances and emotional wellbeing.
Through exclusive interviews and rare access to communities in both countries, Rian uncovers stories of fear, hope, loss, survival, and new beginnings.
Rian says:
“Filming this series forced me to confront my own conflicted feelings about South Africa’s future. I believe viewers will walk away with a clearer understanding of their own choices and what the future may hold.”
In America, Rian meets South Africans who moved there voluntarily, whether for professional opportunities or through the H2A programme, which draws many young South African farmers to work opportunities on American farms. Then there are those who insist they had no choice and that Trump’s refugee offer was their only hope.
“What struck me most was how many South Africans in America still feel something missing, even after years of living there,” Rian says. “Some of the interviews were incredibly emotional – especially with those who accepted President Trump’s offer. At a point, many of their answers began to sound the same.”
Beloofde Land is produced by Provoco, Rian’s production company behind other documentaries such as Sex in Afrikaans, Schuster and Hougaard, as well as his late-night talk show, Laataand by Rian on kykNET.
Beloofde Land premieres on 7 January 2026 at 20:00 exclusively on kykNET (DStv channel 144). The series will also be available on DStv Stream and Catch Up.
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