The controversy surrounding AfriForum and Solidarity’s visit to the US and President Donald Trump’s actions and statements about South Africa and Afrikaners requires sober consideration.
President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed deep disappointment and labelled AfriForum and Solidarity as unpatriotic. He blamed these movements for undermining the country, involving foreign parties and not addressing issues internally. These developments have sparked intense criticism and a variety of comments.
Louise van Rhyn touched on this sensitive issue in the Sunday Times, pleading for “a new Afrikaner narrative”. It is a plea and perspective that many, including me, can certainly identify with.
However, it is clear that most of our viewpoints are not always determined by facts and logical arguments alone, but rather by deeply rooted emotions and desires that we all struggle with.
Van Rhyn is certainly correct; we do not all agree, and Solidarity and AfriForum certainly do not represent most Afrikaners, however you choose to define Afrikaners.
Those who argue that most “whites” and specifically “Afrikaners” still crave white exceptionalism and supremacy and wish to maintain a position of privilege are either not well-informed or deliberately misleading us. Very few who actively promote this view mention that nearly 70% of whites, the majority whom were Afrikaners, voted to abolish apartheid and wholeheartedly supported transformation during and after 1994.
Afrikaner groups have been relatively silent since the 1994 transition. Resistance groups like the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging collapsed, Orania received limited support, as has the Freedom Front Plus since its establishment.
On April 21 2024, leaders of various Afrikaner groups, representing about 2-million members, signed a declaration stating their intent and requesting a dialogue with the government. The declaration included commitments such as remaining in the country and contributing to the wellbeing of all its people, co-operating in the interests of freedom, security, and prosperity for all, cultural freedom, equality of all communities, supporting unity in diversity, and contributing to the economic empowerment of all South Africans.
This group represented several organisations, including AfriForum and Solidarity, and called on the government to establish a cultural accord to address these issues.
Unfortunately, this initiative was not properly acknowledged and received little to no attention from the government.
The cancellation of USAID aid and Trump’s offer of refugee status to Afrikaners rightly provoked strong reactions. There is no doubt that AfriForum and Solidarity contributed to these events.
Afrikaners have remained mostly silent for 30 years. They have adhered to the call to be 'ordinary' — to be like everyone else — except for affirmative action. Is it then fair to blame and condemn them for attempting to secure foreign involvement and support?
AfriForum and Solidarity have denied direct responsibility for the US actions, stating that they did not request the cancellation of USAID or sanctions against South Africa. They also rejected the refugee status offer.
These responses suggest a confirmation of the commitment to remain in South Africa rather than encouraging emigration.
Afrikaners have remained mostly silent for 30 years. They have adhered to the call to be “ordinary” — to be like everyone else — except for affirmative action. Is it then fair to blame and condemn them for attempting to secure foreign involvement and support?
Within this context, one wonders what the real intent is for Afrikaners to just simply accept the current situation and to be “ordinary”. Is this a subtle request for them to disappear and remain silent? Is it not a concealed demand to accept the accusation that they are all to blame for the consequences of apartheid, even though more than 30% of them were not even born at that time?
This is a view that forgets poor white Afrikaners who live in shacks but are still considered privileged solely because they are white.
Everyone will never be equal in wealth — regardless of their colour — not even if we were to adopt a completely socialist or communist system.
For all of us to live in peace and prosper together as South Africans, each of us must try to understand the perspectives and perceptions of others.
We all have a deep love for our homeland; a desire to provide for ourselves and our loved ones; a desire to express ourselves and build a prosperous, non-racial country through our own contributions, innovations, and achievements.
No, Afrikaners do not want to be merely “ordinary like everyone else”. They want to use their skills and talents to strive for excellence and prosperity for themselves, their loved ones, and fellow citizens. This is not a desire for “supremacy”, for “white exceptionalism” or a return to apartheid. It is a desire to allow them to live their life according to their own preferences, without restricting or depriving others, and to live to their full potential for the benefit of all.
We can only do this if everyone is treated equally, regardless of gender, colour, race, or culture.
We need a charter of civic responsibilities that is enforced by law; where violations result in the forfeiture of rights. Everyone must share equal rights, opportunities and responsibilities for all to prosper.
• Labuschagne is a management and leadership consultant.
For opinion and analysis consideration, email Opinions@timeslive.co.za
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