Kleinfontein: EFF to march to Afrikaner-only township in Pretoria

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng are preparing to stage a protest march on Friday morning targeting Kleinfontein, a controversial Afrikaner-exclusive enclave.

Located to the east of Pretoria, Kleinfontein is a self-proclaimed Afrikaner-only community founded in 1992. Spanning more than 900 hectares, this settlement in north-eastern Gauteng houses around 1 500 residents.

EFF TO MARCH TO KLEINFONTEIN AGAINST RACIAL SEGREGATION 

The EFF said the march is an act of revolutionary defiance against the persistence of racial segregation and economic exclusion displayed in Kleinfontein in a democratic era that is founded on the principles of equality, dignity, anti-racism, and human rights.

The party said despite the collapse of apartheid, a regime rightfully declared a crime against humanity by the United Nations, this settlement has continued to operate under exclusionary principles, allowing only “Boere-Afrikaners” to reside and work within its boundaries. 

“The EFF considers such practices a direct assault on the values of a non-racial and inclusive South Africa, for which countless lives were sacrificed,” the party said. 

COURT DECLARES AFRIKANER-ONLY SETTLEMENT ILLEGAL

In August 2024, the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria declared Kleinfontein illegal, on the basis of violations of zoning regulations and municipal bylaws. 

The court directed the City of Tshwane to immediately take appropriate steps to enforce all relevant laws relating to planning and building regulations insofar as it relates to the farms comprising the Kleinfontein settlement.

The Red Berets said that, in light of the court judgement and the undeniable fact that apartheid-style racial enclaves have no place in a democratic South Africa, they call upon the City of Tshwane and all municipalities to reject any rezoning applications that entrench racial segregation and economic exclusion. They emphasised that spatial planning and land zoning must be used to actively dismantle apartheid spatial planning and promote equitable access to land and opportunities.

“The EFF is an anti-capitalist, anti-racism, anti-sexist and anti-imperialist organisation, to bring about economic emancipation to our people and to oppose racism and cultural intolerance. The EFF will never allow racism to raise its ugly head unchallenged. 

“The march to Kleinfontein is a clarion call to all the people of Tshwane who believe in justice, equality, and the realization of our democratic principles. We urge communities, civil society organizations, and all progressive forces to join us in confronting and dismantling this relic of apartheid and all it represents,” the party said.