Boerevryheid English

Honourable Chairperson,
The President of the ANC, Mr Zuma,
fellow Afrikaners and
other distinguished guests

Once at a meeting with a group of Afrikaners, Mr Zuma pounded his chest and proclaimed: “I am a Zulu.”

Mr Zuma, I want to proclaim today: “I am a Boer!”

When you made the statement “I am a Zulu,” you did so as a Zulu, also as a member of the Nguni people, a Black South African, but also part of the South African community, indigenous to Africa.

Similarly, I stand before you today as a Boer, a representative of the Boerevolk, a member of the Afrikaner nation, a White South African and undeniably indigenous to Africa.

As the Nguni people migrated from central Africa to establish themselves as the Zulu people in Southern Africa, the European forefathers of the Boerevolk migrated to Southern Africa to establish the Boerevolk.

The wars and skirmishes fought by Zulus for recognition within the Nguni peoples, and with other Black and White rivals, mirror the struggle of the Boerevolk to stand firm and establish themselves within the Afrikaner nation and amongst other ethnic groups.

Me. Baleka Mmakota Mbete, the current Chairperson of the National Executive Committee of the ANC, issued a Memorandum after the visit of a Boerevolk delegation during her term as Speaker of Parliament. I quote the following excerpt:

• “There is a distinction between them (the Boerevolk) and the Afrikaners;
• They (the Boerevolk) are a section within [a people within] the Afrikaner community;
• What distinguishes them (the Boerevolk) from Afrikaners is culture. They have their own common culture and customs, which makes them a volk;
• They were NOT involved in the institutionalization of apartheid even if they were the beneficiaries;
• “They are different” from the Broederbond.”

The Zulus fought and paid for their heritage and the land of their forefathers. They defended their ancestral land when British Colonial forces invaded it. Similarly, the Boerevolk shed blood for the same reasons and defended their ancestral land against British Colonial rule.

It is a historical mistake, and again I quote Mr Zuma, “that the Boers did not assist the Zulus in their struggle against the British, and the Zulus did not fight with the Boers in the war for freedom against the British.”

The Zulus are indigenous to South Africa and do not claim any territory outside its borders. I want to state irrefutably that the culture of the Boerevolk is firmly anchored in South African soil, and that we too, make no claim to territory outside these borders. We belong to this country and this continent and will not, like so many other Afrikaners and White people, flee from here. “The Boerevolk is here to stay!”

History tells us that at times the Zulus and Boers warred against each other, and at other times concluded treaties with each other. We – the Boerevolk – never ruled over other people, even in victory following warfare. We do not want to rule over others now, we only want dominion of ourselves. This inherent need, firmly entrenched in our Constitution, is already an acknowledged right for groups with Traditional leaders and authorities. We want to propose, therefore, that an addendum to the Constitution is made to enable Councils for indigenous Peoples and “Volke” to participate in a forum or platform where such Councils would have effective representation.

The purpose of this congress, however, is not to dwell on the past but to talk about the present and future. We thank Mr Zuma who, despite a pressing schedule of personal appointments and amidst political and judicial pressures, created the opportunity for us to do so.

All of us here today realise that the continuing escalation of crime, corruption, deterioration of services, farm murders and cultural suppression of the Boerevolk can only increase uncertainty, tension and instability. It is of grave concern that racial tensions seem to be gaining ground again. There is little doubt that the continuation of what is seen as blatant disregard for the moral and ethical values of society is creating resistance of volcano-like proportions that could erupt into an uncontrollable force of violence and anarchy. Nobody wants this to happen, least of all the Boerevolk.

Mr Zuma, when you declared yourself a Zulu, you stood there as a person, previously accused of crimes allegedly committed in your love for, and your strive for freedom for your people. Similarly I stand accused as a person with the same love of the Boerevolk and also striving for their freedom.

Neither you then, nor I now, want to harm this country or the people who share this land with us. Like you, and I am sure most South Africans, we want to live in peace alongside all other indigenous people under the South African sun.

It is therefore right and just that the Boerevolk is part of today’s congress. This congress can mark a historical turning point on our way to mutual respect, recognition and understanding. Let history refer to this day as the beginning of a future of stability, prosperity and quality of life for all groups, tribes, peoples and nations in South Africa, and the Southern African region.
I thank you.
Lets Pretorius
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Dr. Johan (Lets) Pretorius (President of the BVR)