‘I Want My Farm'

Mthetho Matina found out his father is a prominent white farmer. Now he’s claiming what he believes he’s entitled to: a farm of his own.

- Jaco Hough-coetzee

HE WAS raised by his grand parents, who worked hard to put food on the table. Nothing was taken for granted when he was growing up in Dealesville, a small town in the Free State about 70 km northwest of Bloemfontein, but he never questioned the situation. Today, as an adult, he continues to skirt the edge of poverty.

Mthetho Matina, or Ennes as he’s called in the community, has been working as a shop foreman at the local co-op for the past nine years. Two years ago, he received news that could have changed his life, but he and his wife, Julia, are still only just making ends meet.

Ennes’ mother, Elisabeth Molapisi (61), finally revealed that her son’s biological father was actually a well-respected and prosperous white farmer in the area: Roux Erwee (65).

Paternity test results they received in January this year confirmed her story – 36-year-old Ennes is indeed Erwee’s son.

On hearing the news, Ennes convinced his mom to open a case against Erwee on multiple rape charges. The State withdrew the charges in the Circuit Court in Hertzogville last month, and the case was thrown out of court.

“My mother doesn’t want to proceed with the case,” Ennes tells us. “Her case with Erwee might be over, but mine is not.”

IT’S ALREADY scorching at 9 am in Dealesville when we meet Ennes at his workplace. There was a short burst of rain the night before, but it wasn’t much help, he says.