Jurassic Park’ for Afrikaner’s history is unacceptable

It is unacceptable that the Afrikaner’s share in South Africa’s history should be relegated to something which has to be protected behind lock and key in their own country, was the unanimous decision of the FF Plus’ highest governing body, the Federal Council, taken on Saturday (18 April).

Dr. Pieter Mulder (leader) and Dr. Pieter Groenewald (chairperson of the FF Plus) said it is clear that the part which minorities such as the Afrikaner had in the development of the country and its daily existence is good enough, but that its culture and heritage is not welcome.

The motion about this issue which was unanimously accepted, reads amongst others that notice should be taken of the fact that the defacing of cultural-historical monuments stretches across cultural, political and religious divisions of the past.

This includes Cecil John Rhodes, Mahatma Ghandi, Dick King, Louis Botha, Jan Smuts, Jan and Maria van Riebeeck, Paul Kruger, Andrew Murray and even statues in honour of horses which had rendered services during the Anglo-Boer War.

The FF Plus called on all government institutions to take strict action against persons who damage monuments and to take precautions to prevent this from happening.

Emphasis was placed on the preamble of the Constitution which stipulates that respect would be shown to all who had worked hard to build and develop the country and that the country belongs to all who live in it.

“The FF Plus equally supports the reference in the preamble that recognition should be given to the injustices of the past and honour be awarded to all who suffered for justice and freedom.  It is clear that the Constitution does not consider one population group over another.

“The FF Plus therefore demands the right of minorities such as the Afrikaner to exercise their internationally recognised self-determination and minority rights by taking decisions about their cultural property such as monuments, statues and memorial plaques.

“We reject proposals that any of these are to be relegated to a Boer Jurassic Park and will support the adding of memorials for those who had suffered in the past according to the merits of each case without dishonouring history,” Drs. Mulder and Groenewald said.

Statement issued by Dr. Pieter Mulder (FF Plus leader) and Dr. Pieter Groenewald (FF Plus chairperson), April 20 2015