LIFE ON BETHANY FARM, LANGKLOOF.

A down to earth title for a down to earth documentary about a family farming on faith, and singing with joy.

Jakkie (Jakes) and Linda Grobler believe in their very souls that they were led to Langkloof by God, to live a life by His provision, going back to basic needs and modest living. And if the documentary of their day to day life is anything to go by, there is no doubt that they are right.

In the first few years after leaving the rat race of Cape Town in February 2000, to start afresh with practically nothing, the Groblers certainly had their fare share of trials and tribulations, some that no doubt would have stolen the song from the hearts of any other families. But despite the setbacks facing a large family trying to eke a living on a small piece of land with only three run-down farm buildings, they always knew that they were where God wanted them to be, and their faith and diligence has since brought rewards.

Possibly the greatest of these has been the discovery of one another. As someone close to the Groblers explained “The family lives by the theory that nothing should be done alone: through this they have uncovered the secret of having fun while they work! The hard labour that farm life certainly does require is done by two or more at a time…with pauses in between to lean on hoes and discuss the size of the groenmielies…or pass the time of the day with the pig, or chase each other around with the hose pipe. The kids spend their hours of spare time and enjoyment in each other's company.”

Jakkie (48), Linda (49), Jonan (19), Rifke (18), Hannah (16), Natan (14), Abigail (11) Joshua (9) and Benjamin (5) have been blessed, abundantly. Though not with the sort of things that many others might consider blessings, but with a family that toils shoulder to shoulder, uncomplaining, indeed more often than not cheerfully; with an ever-changing harvest that provides enough food for their own table and often those of others; and with talent- in abundance! To listen to their song one struggles to believe that one family could produce such a range in voice and instrument, yet as they blend together in perfect harmony one senses an intimacy that only a family could have.

But to say too much more would ruin the experience of the CD of their music, and the documentary itself. Life on Bethany Farm, Langkloof was produced by Marius van der Merwe of FilmStudio™ , a local documentary maker. Marius says that spending time with the Grobler family was a soul stirring experience in itself.

“An acquaintance, Mark Hoskins, heard me say I was interested in subsistence living, and persuaded me to visit this family in Bethany. Apparently he had lived with them for a few months some time before,” Marius told us. So he and his family joined Mark and went to spend a day with the Groblers, eating with them and watching how they lived and worked together, It was when they listened to their songs at an impromptu and informal ‘concert’ held in the small farm’s music room, that both Marius and Mark felt a strong, emotional conviction that this was something that needed to be shared with others.

“We discussed recording with Jakes (Jakkie) and when he very calmly said he thought that would be ok, I promised to return in a month,” said Marius. But work and personal commitments kept him away until mid November when he eventually made it back to the farm.

“I returned to Bethany to record their songs, and ended up doing a two hour documentary on their lifestyle as well,” he said.The filming and recording were done at the same honest, down to earth pace that the family lives.

“There was no staging, no rehearsals, we just talked, and filmed, and I followed the family as they went about their day to day business.” Marius explained. “It was very special for me, the time I spent with them.” Three days later they had five hours worth of footage on disc and twenty two songs recorded. This is something unheard of in the film industry and Marius has no doubt that there had been some outside assistance.“God is amazing!” he acknowledged.

Back in his studio in Sedgefield Marius has since spent much time editing, tweaking and finishing, and is happy that the final products – a collection of 22 songs available on CD and a two hour documentary DVD - will be inspiring and enjoyable to the viewer.

Asked to describe what people should expect he smiled. “It is not a Hollywood action movie, and it isn’t a 40 minute National Geographic program either, It is simply a true story about a family and their life, told as it happens.”

Life on Bethany Farm, Langkloof, can either be ordered as a DVD and CD set for R129.95 (plus R30 for postage); or separately CD:- R59.95 (plus R30 postage); DVD:-R79.95 (plus R30 postage) .either via email orders@filmstudio.co.za or phone 082 383 8339 / 044 343 1523. A trailer for the documentary can be viewed at http.//www.youtube.com/filmstudiotm

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