In the past, different political parties and Afrikaner groups used the term “homeland”. Because each group gave its own meaning to the term, it now has many confusing and negative connotations. Territorial self-determination has developed internationally to such an extent that it cannot be completely defined with a single word. The following background is essential for complete understanding of the concept.

THIRTY STATEMENTS ON THE AFRIKANER AND A TERRITORY OF THEIR OWN

The existence of an Afrikaner nation is a historical fact that can hardly be argued; social, political, economical and other factors have in the course of history affected people in such a way that a self aware and distinctive cultural community developed, a community whose members experienced a common bond of destiny regarding the past and the future and who embodied their political unity in a joint aspiration for a state.

Variety

Naturally all Afrikaners do not experience their Afrikaner character in the same way, they do not act the same in this regard, do not attach the same value to it; this kind of variety is normal and political discord or even a prevalence of critical voices does not revoke the existence of this community.

Identification

Thus a nation does not exist by grace of ‘n complete and definable identity, but because people decide in terms of their common nationality and with a view on the future to identify with each other.

Calling

Religious Afrikaners understand their national character as a calling; yet a nation with a calling must continue to exist, must therefore be free and have a country where it can live to the full.

Freedom

The Afrikaner nation does not at present have a country where Afrikaners are an undisputed majority and is visibly on the way to non-freedom, which can lead to dissolution; freedom can only be found in an own country and a new state and society.

Unemployment

Afrikaners face large scale unemployment when affirmative action in the new South Africa claims the civil service, postal services, railways, health and education, police and armed forces, institutions like the SABC, Iscor, Escom, Sasol and private enterprises for the unemployed masses.

Distribution

Due to the widespread distribution of Afrikaners across South Africa they cannot in any one place dominate political, adminstrative and cultural institutions on the basis of equality and democracy.

Self-determination

The absence of an area where Afrikaners are the vast majorty, does not destroy their claim to self-determination, as it is seen as a primary right of a nation and is recognised by the FF.

Nation state

A state is only a nation state when the population consists mainly of compatriots, where all permanent residents enjoy full civil rights and where open democratic elections result in government by the people.

Collectivity

It is a state where collectivity in terms of language, customs, heritage, history and state institutions is self-evident.

No discrimination

It is a state where distinction based on ethnicity is superfluous.

Peace

It is therefore a state that is not disrupted by ethnic struggle or rivalry for governing power.

Compatriots

It is a state where the economically active population consists of compatriots, even though they may belong to different classes.

National labour

It is a state where labour is performed by compatriots and not by foreigners, not even foreigners who cross the border in the morning and depart again at night.

Foreign labour

It is therefore a state where prosperity, rest and safety do not depend on foreign labour or foreign money and where these qualities do not have to be enforced with strict security actions.

Government

It is therefore not a state where compatriots control the government while foreigners are in the majority and have economic control.

Choice of territory

The selection of an Afrikaner homeland must be in favour of the area where there is currently the highest concentration of Afrikaners, or in favour of the area with the lowest total population that could, through development, be effectively occupied.

Demographics

At present, Afrikaners account for about 9% of South Africa’s population and this will be about 2% when the total population exceed 100 million in the next century; it stands to reason that while today’s 9% still have a voice, the 2% will not be able to prescribe political decisions in future.

Size

The size of a homeland must be determined by asking what size Afrikaners can occupy, cultivate and defend; in the end no more than that can be retained.

Growth points

Three economic growth points that can grow to become cities with 300 000 to 500 000 residents can, together with smaller towns and farms, ensure the Afrikaner’s future.

Population

The east and north of South Africa where most Afrikaners live, is also home to 90% of the country’s population; only 9% are Afrikaners and the estimated growth of the black population is one million per year.

Western Cape

The Southwestern Cape has for years been experiencing an influx of 26 000 Xhosas per month, as well as an unabated influx from neighbouring states.

Northwestern Cape

The sparsely populated and undeveloped western part of the country that includes the Orange, Doring and Olifants River as well as other natural resources offers Afrikaners an opportunity to create, with high level of technological expertise and urbanisation, a future within the borders of the former South Africa.

The outside world

The West Coast makes contact with Europe and the First World possible, while the RSA may possibly fall more under the influence of the East.

Military

To enforce constitutional control by means of military power would necessitate a permanent state of emergency and long term military service by civilians, lead to foreign sanctions and disrupt and impoverish the state.

Basis of principles

When the basis of principles of the Afrikaner homeland is right, the support of the whole nation may be called for, those who want to settle there as well as those who cannot or do not want to live there. This principle is internationally accepted.

Part of the solution

The realisation of an Afrikaner homeland must be part of a solution for the population problem of the whole SA ; peace and stability in the entire country as well as protection of Afrikaners who cannot settle in the homeland immediately, must be ensured.

Settlement

A particular area must be earmarked for Afrikaner settlement with the prospect that majority occupation can be reached there and with the express understanding that their continued existence as cultural communities will be ensured.

Founding a nation

The right to proceed to founding a nation when they consider it necessary and possible, must be constitutionally acknowledged by South Africa.

Liberated through labour

The Afrikaner nation will therefore have to be liberated through Afrikaner labour; in the long run their language and culture will only survive in a homeland, under own rule and the idea that a nation community can be maintained with all kinds of gimmicks in one dispensation with others, appears to be unrealistic.