AfriForum Responds to Ramaphosa: Claims of Division and Policy Disputes Take Center Stage

In what has become a heated exchange of accusations and rhetoric, AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel, currently in the United States with the Solidarity Movement delegation, has vocally responded to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent allegations. During an education summit in Gauteng, Ramaphosa criticized AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement’s visit to the USA, describing it as a move that "spawned division." However, Kriel argues that it is actually Ramaphosa and the ANC's policies that are divisive.

Kriel’s criticism focuses heavily on recent legislative actions taken by the South African government under Ramaphosa’s leadership, specifically pointing to the signing of the Bela Act and the Expropriation Act. According to Kriel, these laws threaten the cultural existence of Afrikaans-speaking communities and fail to address critical issues like farm murders and inflammatory slogans against farmers. Kriel insists that Ramaphosa’s refusal to engage in dialogue with AfriForum and related organizations, as claimed by Ramaphosa's spokesperson, only exacerbates the divide.

.@PresidencyZA Ramaphosa falsely accuses @afriforum of sowing division, while in reality, it is he and the ANC’s leaders who are fostering division—among other things, by signing the Expropriation Act and the BELA Act, which threaten Afrikaans schools and, consequently, our… pic.twitter.com/mJpWy4nCux

— Kallie Kriel (@kalliekriel) February 27, 2025

Moreover, Kriel accuses Ramaphosa of abandoning previous negotiation processes, such as the discussions at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) concerning the Bela Act, labeling this a sign of contempt from the president. The response from AfriForum indicates a firm stance against what Kriel describes as 'cancel culture', with a commitment to continue advocating for not only national interests but explicitly for Afrikaner rights.

The timing of these exchanges is critical as the AfriForum and Solidarity delegation, including Kriel, Solidarity Chairperson Flip Buys, Executive Head Dr. Dirk Hermann, and Head of International Liaison Jaco Kleynhans, engage with opinion leaders in Washington, DC. Their agenda is likely to include discussions around these contentious policies and the broader implications for international relations and cultural communities in South Africa.

The ongoing public disagreement highlights the deep-rooted tensions within South African politics, particularly concerning race, language, and land reforms. These discussions are occurring on an international stage, potentially influencing foreign perspectives on South Africa’s internal policies and unity.