ANC-FF Plus deal to formally recognise Orania 'a defining moment'
The provincial FF Plus has agreed to back the ANC’s candidate for premier, Zamani Saul, in exchange for the recognition of Orania’s right to self-determine.
The controversy-laden Northern Cape town, Orania, which flies in the face of the founding values of the new South Africa. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Northern Cape settlement for white Afrikaners, Orania said that the deal between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Freedom Front (FF) Plus to formally recognise it, represents a defining moment for the community.
The provincial FF Plus agreed to back the ANC’s candidate for premier, Zamani Saul, in exchange for the recognition of Orania’s right to self-determine.
Northern Cape was one of three hung provinces that failed to produce an outright winner at the recent polls.
Orania is a constituency of the Freedom Front Plus, with over 65% of residents having voted for the party in the recent elections.
The settlement’s CEO, Joost Strydom said that the people and leadership of Orania are excited about the arrangement with the provincial government.
"The past 33 years of our work will get formal recognition. This of course stems from a long time ago from the declaration of Afrikaner self-sufficiency as well as article 235 of the constitution where the right to cultural self-sufficiency is defined."
“And also the Orania’s representative council in the year 2000 when Orania got its own local government and this is another marker on that journey and it is an important one because it is government to government recognition.”
The ANC in the Northern Cape said it has agreed to a working relationship with the Freedom Front Plus, however, it is still consulting over what the recognition of Orania would entail.
The party said Saul would announce his cabinet next Tuesday, with the FF Plus to chair the portfolio of corporate governance, human settlements and traditional affairs.