‘I can make a greater impact elsewhere’ – Ernst Roets exits Solidarity Movement

Ernst Roets

Cape Town – Head of policy at the Solidarity Movement and former AfriForum deputy CEO, Ernst Roets, has resigned after 20 years to pursue opportunities outside the movement.

He expressed gratitude for his time at Solidarity and AfriForum, saying he believes he can make a greater contribution elsewhere.

‘I made this decision because I became convinced that there was more space for me outside to live out my calling and truly mean something to our people — that I will be able to make a greater contribution.

‘Over the past few weeks, I have once again realised how incredible my wife and children, my family and my close friends are. I am overwhelmed by a feeling of gratitude, more than anything else. My excitement about the chapter ahead is much greater than the sadness about the chapter I am closing,’ he said in a social media post.

According to Times Live, Roets took on the role of head of policy for the movement in August 2023, following his tenure as AfriForum’s CEO for strategy and international relations. In 2018, he published the book Kill The Boer, in which he argued that politicians and the government played a role in the rise of farm murders. He also suggested that the singing of the struggle song Kill the Boer contributed to inciting such attacks, the report said. 

His resignation comes amid criticism of AfriForum for allegedly spreading misinformation to influence US policy on South Africa, with some groups calling for treason charges over their stance on the Expropriation Act.

Article written by