Cape Town – The Afrikaner-only community of Kleinfontein, near Pretoria, has rejected claims that it is an apartheid enclave, asserting that the settlement is based on culture, not race.
This follows a visit by the MK party, led by Mzwanele Manyi, who questioned whether Kleinfontein was misusing Section 235 of the Constitution, which permits cultural self-determination.
Kleinfontein spokesperson Dannie De Beer emphasised that apartheid is over and claimed that linking cultural communities like Kleinfontein and Orania to racism is misleading.
He argued that cultural pride does not equate to racism.
“Apartheid is long dead, buried, will never ever return again. Kleinfontein is all about culture, it’s not about race, and it’s a pity that the news has to grasp and confuse culture and race,” De Beer said in an interview with Newzroom Afrika.
[WATCH] Kleinfontein spokesperson Dannie De Beer says contrary to the belief that Kleinfontein is an apartheid enclave, the area is, in fact, about culture and not race.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/s41z6TJtiH
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) April 21, 2025
In a separate issue, US President Donald Trump offered white South African farmers a fast-track to US citizenship, citing alleged land seizures and poor treatment in South Africa.
While De Beer welcomed Trump’s recognition of Afrikaner concerns, he said mass emigration from Kleinfontein to the US is unlikely.
Rian Genis, chairperson of the Kleinfontein board, said he has no interest in relocating to the United States. He emphasised his deep connection to Africa, saying he wants to be buried under a thorn tree on African soil.
Speaking after a meeting with MK party members, Genis affirmed that the community sees itself as African and has no desire to become a “foreign nation on foreign soil”.
“I have no wish to live in America or my children to grow in America or my grandchildren. If they choose it, that is their choice. I cannot dictate to them. But I would like to be buried, and it is very important, underneath a thorn tree in Africa. I want the thorn tree roots to grow from my heart,” he said, according to IOL.
Genis added: “We don’t want to be a foreign nation on a foreign soil. We are Africans and so we would want to stay here and that is not an option for us to consider.”
While a few individuals might consider emigration, he said as a community, Kleinfontein is not interested.
“There are probably a few individuals that would like to take up the offer and if they feel that way, it is up to them but, as a community we don’t regard it as an offer for us,” he said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
