Boer Soek ’n Vrou Hires Anele to Advise on Diversity and Inclusion

JOHANNESBURG — Popular Afrikaans dating programme Boer Soek ’n Vrou has appointed television personality Anele Mdoda as its diversity and inclusion adviser following complaints that the show fails to represent South Africa’s demographics.

Critics have questioned why a programme broadcast in a country where white Afrikaans speakers constitute a small minority continues to feature so many white Afrikaans-speaking farmers.

‘We accept that the programme is called Boer Soek ’n Vrou, but surely the farmers could make more of an effort to reflect the broader population,’ said one critic.

Producers are reportedly considering introducing racial representation targets for contestants, although finding enough eligible farmers has presented challenges.

Mdoda’s proposed reforms include encouraging farmers to consider women from different cultural backgrounds and introducing subtitles for contestants who cannot understand Afrikaans.

A spokesperson pointed out that the programme had always been diverse where it counted, with Nguni, Bonsmara and Brahman cattle appearing in almost every episode.

One farmer welcomed the changes but asked whether the programme could still help him find an Afrikaans-speaking woman willing to live on his farm.

Producers reassured him that finding a wife remained a priority, although it would now have to be balanced against several other objectives.