Kleinfontein board appreciates engagement with MK Party despite differences in opinion
The MK Party says it suspects the settlement is abusing section 235 of the constitution, which allows for self-determination for communities of shared common cultural and language heritage.
Chairperson of the Kleinfontein board of directors Rian Genis said while they hold differing opinions with the MK party, they appreciate the visit.
"What I really appreciate is that they visited us, spoke to us, listened to us, heard what we had to say, and we feel that positive. There's a lot of noise in the media and a lot of aggressive noise from the side of the eff and MK party towards Afrikaners in general and our communities and we appreciate a dialogue because that's the way we take this forward.'
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Mail & Guardian
3 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
New enclaves recall medieval feudal states
(Graphic: John McCann/M&G) A few weeks ago I appeared on Newzroom Afrika's Top Stories of the Week programme with the excellent host, Naledi Moleo. It is a news programme that covers the week's top stories in a similar format as that of sports news channel ESPN. It sprints through as many topics as possible within a 45 to 60 minute show, inclusive of commercial breaks. One of the topics we touched on was the march against the whites-only Afrikaner settlement of Kleinfontein in Tshwane by the Economic Freedom Fighters. At that stage, the Oval Office meeting between presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump had not yet occurred, but the country was fixated on Trump's offer for asylum to white Afrikaners. The discussion got me thinking long after the show. Obviously settlements like Orania and Kleinfontein are racist and must be rejected immediately. They should not be allowed to exist, it is as simple as that. If we remove the racial dimension from the phenomena of Orania and Kleinfontein, we will discern that there is a much larger sinister global agenda afoot. American tech billionaires such as Balaji Srinivasan, Marc Andreessen and Peter Thiel, associated with Trump and his Make America Great Again movement, are financially backing Próspera, a city state, on the island of Roatan in Honduras. These city states have been called different names, such as 'charter cities', 'start-up cities', 'freedom cities' and free private cities, so as to make them seem as harmless as possible. In Honduras, Próspera was created through government-established zones of economic development and employment, the ZEDEs. In the ZEDE, Próspera can operate autonomously from the Honduran government. The idea behind Próspera is to create free-market enclaves with their own rules and laws. It is governed by a council composed of nine members. Five are elected, while four are appointed by Honduras Próspera Inc, therefore in practice the company has an effective veto power because all decisions require a two-thirds majority. In Próspera the more land you own the more votes you get. Visitors are required to apply and receive a enter through a customs border post guarded by the company's private militia. Próspera adopts its own civil and commercial codes, which are subject to Honduran criminal law. Its charter disallows land expropriation, but Próspera itself is allowed to incorporate land anywhere on the island of Roatan. Local Hondurans, such as the local Crawfish Rock community, live in fear of their land being taken away by Próspera and its plans for expansion. Próspera collects its own taxes from residents, which includes the businesses located on Próspera. The taxes are low, with business paying only 1% of revenue and being allowed to customise the commercial regulations that apply to them. Personal tax is only 5% and the local government receives no tax revenue from Próspera. Rich people, especially Americans, go to Próspera seeking experimental medical treatment that is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. These are vanity projects such as inserting a chip into your hand so that you can communicate with your Tesla vehicle. Honduras President Xiomara Castro has vowed to keep her 2021 election campaign promise of dismantling Próspera. Her attempts have been met with stiff opposition by the rich owners of Próspera, who are in turn suing the Honduran government for nearly $11 billion, which is one-third of the Honduran GDP. A Próspera advocacy group called the Freedom Cities coalition has begun meeting with the Trump administration. Elvira Salazar, a Republican congresswoman from Florida, has claimed that the Honduran government are socialists who do not care for their country when they do not allow ZEDEs to do what they like. The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, a World Bank-funded institution, an arbitration body established in 1966 to settle legal disputes between international investors and countries, has ruled against the Honduran government, that the investors had to exhaust local remedies before appealing for arbitration, which effectively allows the $11 billion lawsuit to proceed. This is despite the Honduran supreme court's 2024 judgement that rendered the ZEDEs unconstitutional retroactively. These elitist enclaves are not exactly new. Victoria Island in Lagos, Nigeria was established in colonial times for the British elite, and in 1960 when Nigeria got its independence, local Nigerian elites joined the British expatriates on the Island. In the 2024 election campaign trail Trump promised the establishment of freedom cities in the United States. Already there is talk about a freedom city being established north of San Francisco and a crypto state in the Mediterranean. In Zambia there is Nkwashi, which is 36 kilometres east of the capital city Lusaka, that is described as a self-contained city that is privately owned, managed, and autonomous of the government. As much as we despise Orania and Kleinfontein, and may baulk at the phenomena of Próspera, we are busy establishing similar settlements all over the country. It may not be racist, but the increasing phenomena of golfing and townhouse type estates are essentially classist and elitist. These estates have their own government called a body corporate, their own private police force, and the body corporate has legislative powers, and acts as the judiciary. Thus, we are witnessing a return to feudal times with feudal lords and people living in city states. Initially these were purely residential, governed by an elected body corporate that decided on estate rules on the common areas of parking, gardens and walkways, as well as issues like loud music. Later these estates began creating clubhouses, with shops so you could buy items, as well as have a meal, a drink and get together with other residents. These estates offer much more today. Besides golf courses they now have gyms, daycare centres, schools and offices that can be rented. It is only a matter of time before national retailers such as Pick n Pay, Checkers and Woolworths enter: soon there will be a shopping mall in an estate. Farming areas in the Western Cape are being transformed into residential estates. Farm workers and labour tenants, who have lived on the land for many years, are moved off the land and can only work as minimum wage service staff on these estates. The Val de Vie estate in the Cape Winelands, for instance, has properties that cost R6 million for a small house and larger ones at R120 million. It is a small step for such estates to become a Próspera. The Cape Independence and the Referendum parties have previously called for the secession of the province. Next year we shall be expected to participate in local government elections. All our local governments are failing, even those who claim to be an oasis of success in a desert of ineptitude, and therefore the advent of these private sector enclaves of residential estates are appealing. Especially when crime and grime affect all, both historical townships and suburbs. Commercial districts, such as city business districts, the so-called City Improvement Districts, and even our 1980s urban strip malls, are also negatively affected by the utter deteriorating local governance. We will not solve government failures by creating private retreats. But it is equally compelling for political parties and their leaders, especially the ANC, to admit that it is not just the appeal of private retreats that makes an Orania-like golf estate attractive but it is also due to the contempt in which the people are treated in the free South Africa. Political parties have to reconnect with the people of South Africa, not by saying how much better they are than other failing parties, but by actually really listening and involving the people so that our cities are run better, there is increasing employment for all, and we effectively tackle poverty and inequality. If we cannot do these things, our country will resemble a medieval feudal state with golf city states while the majority live outside the castle walls, hoping their children will one day be able to live in these enclaves. Donovan E Williams is a social commentator. @TheSherpaZA on X.
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
Mandela's grandson calls for charges against Afrikaners who have taken up Trump's resettlement offer
Mayibuye Mandela, great-grandson of the legendary Nelson Mandela, has called on the government to pursue legal action against 49 Afrikaners who claimed refugee status in the US. Image: Supplied Mayibuye Melisizwe Mandela, the great-grandson of Nelson Mandela, has called on the South African government take legal action against the more than 49 Afrikaners who have relocated to the US, saying they falsely claimed refugee status while fabricating a narrative of white genocide. In February, US President Donald Trump offered refugee status to Afrikaners, claiming they faced persecution in South Africa. The first batch of more than 49 arrived in the US in May, later followed by a smaller batch. During a meeting at the Oval Office in Washington in May, President Cyril Ramaphosa told Trump that there was no genocide in South Africa, adding that there was a crime and the majority of the victims were Black. Mayibuye Mandela said the claims of a genocide against Afrikaners was false and he called on the government, including the Department of Justice, Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), Home Affairs and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to pursue legal action against the group. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Mayibuye Mandela claimed that their actions constitute offences under South Africa's Immigration Act, the Films and Publications Act, the Equality Act and the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act. 'This is not just a matter of misinformation. It is a coordinated effort to destabilise our country and incite international hostility,' he said. Dirco spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, said Mandela should open a case, saying the appropriate course for citizens who believe the laws of the country have been contravened is to report concerns to the competent law enforcement authorities. 'These authorities possess the mandate to investigate such reports and ascertain their veracity,' he said. NPA's spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga, said it was not fair to comment while there is no docket opened with the SAPS. Home Affairs spokesperson, Siya Qoza, also declined to comment as it was not clear which Immigration Act clauses have been breached, while Justice Department spokesperson, Terrence Manase, did not comment. Asked if he would open a case, Mayibuye Mandela said he had a discussion with his team and it has been concluded that a case should be opened. He said AfriForum and Solidarity must also be held accountable for their roles in 'orchestrating and promoting this false narrative'. He accused the two organisations of inciting racial division, defaming South Africa's constitutional democracy and 'betraying the principles that generations of South Africans have fought to uphold'. AfriForm said questions should be referred to chief officer, Kallie Kriel, who did not respond. Solidarity's head of public Liaison, Jaco Kleynhans, said the organisation views these allegations as 'completely unfounded and just another attempt to shift the focus away from South Africa's huge problems'. Kleynhans said Solidarity had never claimed that a genocide is taking place in South Africa but has long been providing evidence of serious cultural and economic oppression of minorities in the country. He said this amounts to a 'general cultural persecution that is beginning to take on dangerous levels and could lead to life-threatening threats in the future'. 'The US government has every right to grant refugee status to citizens of another country that it considers to be experiencing serious oppression or persecution." "Instead of attacking these people or the organisations they represent, we need to have a serious conversation in South Africa about the extent of absolute racial discrimination against minorities, the levels of violent crime that are occurring in our country, and what is needed to address these and other problems. He said Solidarity is in constant contact with the Trump administration. "We will not allow what is happening in South Africa to be swept under the rug or for defamatory allegations to be made about our position on important issues,' he said. Both AfriForum and Solidarity face a government investigation of treason, after allegations that they supplied false and damaging information to the US government regarding the treatment of white farmers. Minister in Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavehini, confirmed the investigation during a parliamentary session last month, warning that treasonous acts cannot be left unpunished. This follows calls from several political parties, including the EFF and MK Party, for the government to act against the two organisations following their visit to the US, where they engaged with Trump's administration.
The Citizen
12 hours ago
- The Citizen
Cartoon of the day: 9 June 2025
Not all comrades are equal. While South Africa celebrates the winners of this year's Comrades Marathon, the political comrades are far from winning the country they run. Tete Dijana won his third Comrades Marathon Down Run on Sunday, beating last year's champion Piet Wiersma. In the ladies' race, Gerda Steyn won her fourth Comrades Marathon title. She finished ahead of Russia's Alexandra Morozova, while Shelmisth Muriuki became the first Kenyan woman to make the marathon's podium, finishing in third place. Steyn became only the second woman, after Russian athlete Elena Nurgalieva, to win the race more than three times. 'So many things have to go right in the lead-up to the race, and in your life, to get to the point where you're in the finishing straight, just about to win the Comrades. 'It takes so many pieces of the puzzle for that to happen, and that moment is short, but it is so meaningful and impactful. So I try and share it a bit because that moment is so big you can't experience it all by holding it in yourself,' she said after the race. ALSO READ: 'It changes me': Emotional Gerda Steyn delighted with fourth Comrades win Comrades of the worst kind Meanwhile, comrades of a different kind have been competing for political moemishes. Jacob Zuma last week reminded the country that his MK party is still incredibly divided after it redeployed secretary-general Floyd Shivambu over his visit to Malawi and fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri. EFF leader Julius Malema reacted to his former deputy's troubles but had drama of his own. US President Donald Trump's advisor, Pastor Mark Burns, last week called on Malema to apologise for singing 'Kill the Boer.' SA President Cyril Ramaphosa has also been battering off critics, this time of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). On Friday, he questioned whether their opposition was rooted in 'greed' or 'jealousy'. Meanwhile, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe is still licking his political wounds after his son was appointed chairperson of the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Seta board, and then dismissed amid public outcry. NOW READ: 'We should be grateful we have a government that listens': Ramaphosa says Seta board appointments a 'mistake'
