Orania hits back at Malema over controversial remarks
Orania residents have pledged to oppose EFF leader Julius Malema’s call for the abolition of their Afrikaner-only town.
Residents of Orania have pushed back against EFF leader Julius Malema’s recent remarks calling for the abolition of their exclusive Afrikaner town.
The community views his comments as an attack on cultural preservation and self-determination, arguing that their town represents a peaceful exercise of constitutional rights rather than a division symbol.
‘Orania stands firm’
A day after Julius Malema vowed to dismantle Orania, town leaders posted on Facebook that they would fight back.
It read: “Orania will not ‘fall’ but continue to build. The community will continue to work, build, and develop to be of service to the residents.
The post further highlighted a meeting between the town’s leadership and the EFF, during which the party called for Orania to be declared unconstitutional due to its strict Afrikaner-exclusive policies.
It continued: “Orania believes in early, peaceful and diplomatic solutions as far as possible and conversations like this are often very valuable in clearing up misunderstandings. However, the community is politically and physically ready.
“So Orania is not just going to ‘fall’ or disappear, we will continue to maintain and build.
“Orania also exists through historical coincidences, but first of all, by the grace of our Heavenly Father. We will, therefore, continue in the same manner in building a future for our people.”.
WHO FOUNDED THE AFRIKANER-ONLY TOWN?
Orania was founded by Carel Boshoff III in 1991. His son, Carel Boshoff IV, is the current leader of the whites-only town.
He is also the grandson of Hendrik Verwoerd, who infamously enforced the white supremacy regime of Apartheid.
Over the years, various high-people have visited Orania, including Gayton McKenzie, Penuel Mlotshwa and Siv Ngesi.