ORANIA: Building a Nation One Brick at a Time
Dear South Africa Insight Reader,
In our quest to understand the world, we often turn to history books, seeking stories of pioneers and adventurers who dared to veer off the beaten path. Yet sometimes, history isn't only a thing of the past - it's a dynamic story unfolding right before our eyes.
In this edition of the newsletter, I'm thrilled to share with you my latest draft for the next chapter in the upcoming photo book about Orania. This community embodies determination and innovative thought, on its unique course towards self-determination.
What does it mean to build a nation from scratch? How can a community transform a barren landscape into a beacon of hope and autonomy? How do they navigate the intricate world of politics and law to carve out sovereignty within a larger national framework?
In this chapter, I seek to explore these questions and delve deeper into the narrative of Orania. Drawing parallels with my hometown of Sigtuna, Sweden, I reflect on the profound essence of forging one's destiny.
Enjoy the read,
Jonas Nilsson
Building a Nation: One Brick at a Time
In the records of history, we often read about a handful of brave men who dared to act, thereby changing the course of events. Yet, what we are witnessing today in Orania is more than just words on a page – it's history in the making.
Some thirty years ago, a few families made a life-changing decision. Unwilling to be governed by external forces and desiring to live according to their own norms, culture, and community, they resolved to follow in the footsteps of their forebears. They became the modern-day Voortrekkers, leaving behind the familiar society and setting out into the wilderness to start anew.
This daring act was not a retreat from the world but a bold statement of their commitment to forge their own path. Just as the original Voortrekkers in the 19th century left the Cape Colony to establish their own republics in the interior of what is now South Africa, so did these families choose to venture out into the semi-desert landscape of the Northern Cape to create a place they could truly call their own - Orania.
Much like what drove their ancestors to make their brave decision, they were no longer in political control, with the consequences being potential exploitation, exclusion from parts of society, humiliation through special legislation, inability to ensure their own safety - in short, becoming second-class citizens. The difference between then and now was that in the past, they were left to the mercy of the British crown's goodwill had they chosen to stay in the Cape area, and today, they are at the mercy of the large black majority's political will if they remain within the political system of South Africa.
And herein lies the challenge - a dichotomy between reform and revolutionary thought. The instinctive response is often the pursuit of reform, to "change the system from within" with advocacy and social activism, appealing for respect and having one's rights recognized through political negotiation. However, the idea of 'abandoning' the system to build something new can be daunting for many, as it feels alien, risky, and involves the sacrifice of much, if not all, of what has been built up, potentially over generations. Yet, the realization grows that sometimes, the path to freedom is not through reform or negotiation, but through bold determination and innovation. What awaits is the risk of significant isolation from the broader society, which also entails the risk of direct confrontation with the existing power structures, that could lead to significant resistance and conflict.
Therefore, we rarely witness such proactive measures, and instead, remain conformist and endure the situation as it is, finding over time that we only regard it as the new normal state of being.
But this independence is not something that can be requested or bestowed upon them by an external authority, but something that must be taken or realized by oneself. The action of moving away from the existing societal framework and creating a new society that aligns with their cultural norms and values is analogous to Columbus's way of making the egg stand upright - an unorthodox but effective solution to a problem.
And in many ways, the journey of Orania's pioneers mirrors this well-known anecdote with Christopher Columbus. The essence of Columbus's challenge was not in merely sailing across the ocean, but knowing where he wanted to go and devising an unconventional method to get there. The same ethos applies to Orania. Many Afrikaners aspire for self-rule and seek to achieve it through conventional means - attempting to reform society, influence public opinion, form political parties, get international recognition etc. However, these standard approaches can be like trying to balance the egg.
The founders of Orania, however, decided to think outside the box, much like Columbus. They recognized that to achieve their goal of self-determination, they needed to take a different route. Instead of asking for a piece of land, they ventured into the semi-desert, saw potential where others saw barrenness, and created their own homeland from scratch. They dared to break from the expected framework and cracked the egg to make it stand upright. Sometimes conventional wisdom blinds us to unconventional solutions.
What possible solutions exist beyond the conventional approach? If the objective is to attain independence without resorting to violence, which might not even be feasible, or begging the very authority from which independence is sought, where does the solution lie?
Freedom is not a gift naturally bestowed, not a right one can count on being readily served or provided. Freedom is something individuals claim and uphold; it is a realization born from within. It requires breaking free from mental shackles and standing tall. It is less about seeking permission and more about actualizing it. This embodies the essence of Orania - a community alive with the spirit of those who dared to claim their freedom and shape their own destiny. They metaphorically 'cracked the base of their own egg,' charting an unconventional course towards self-determination.
It encapsulates the proactive creation of their own narrative rather than passively succumbing to the circumstances.
In 2014, representatives from various Boer and Afrikaner organizations met with then Deputy South African President – Cyril Ramaphosa. They were seeking self-determination, a homeland of their own. When Ramaphosa pulled out a map of South Africa and asked, "Where?" they were unable to give a coherent response. Their vision of a homeland was ahead of the existing reality. The old Boer republics had faded into history, and in regions tracing back to the Transvaal or the Free State, the white population has become a distinct minority. So what could they indicate on the map? They found themselves scattered and isolated, a presence everywhere and nowhere simultaneously. The Schrödinger’s Boer. Should they point to Pretoria or Bloemfontein? Their ideas did not align with the present-day reality.
Orania's founders did not look to a theoretical homeland or plea for a parcel of land from a president. They chose an unconventional path and resolved to make a homeland from scratch, demonstrating that the route to freedom sometimes bypasses traditional reform or negotiation. Their vision and willingness to venture into the unfamiliar, led to the establishment of a community embodying the phrase 'where there's a will, there's a way'.
A key perspective from political science is that norms precede laws. Much of the legal framework and our relationship to it has its roots in how we live, rather than the law shaping our way of life. In essence, it's our way of life that shapes the law. The law is and becomes the formalized decision of what already is.
When the time comes, no one will need to ask where the Afrikaners' independence and homeland should be - they are already living it, open for everyone to see. Their official and future recognized independence won't be based on Orania asking for permission, but rather it will be a recognition of what already exists - a homeland of their own.
Often, those most deeply entrenched in the existing power structures - those who benefit from it or are embedded within it - resist the idea of separation or change due to their comfort with the status quo. They are often the least able to perceive its flaws or recognize the need for change.
Consider the case of my hometown Sigtuna, a charming town nestled in the municipality of the same name in Sweden. This town, often recognized as Sweden's oldest preserved town and once the nation's capital before Stockholm, is home to roughly 5000 inhabitants. It belongs to a municipality encompassing other locations with a total population of roughly 50,000, dominated by the larger areas of Märsta and Valsta. These areas are chiefly inhabited by immigrants and sadly, have been classified as 'no-go zones' by the police due to rampant criminality. The peaceful and distinctively Swedish town of Sigtuna stands in stark contrast to these volatile regions.
Demographic differences between Sigtuna, Märsta, and Valsta have had substantial political implications. Votes cast by these areas are primarily influenced by perceived self-interest. In the case of Sigtuna, this self-interest coincided with the demographic differences. The Swedish population voted for the creation of their own municipality to regain control over their own region, while the numerically larger immigrant population denied them this right to self-governance. While it would not be articulated this way publicly, the undercurrent of these discussions and debates revealed a distinct divide: The Swedish inhabitants of Sigtuna wishing to retain control over their cultural heritage and area, and the immigrant populations in Märsta and Valsta opposing this.
The reasoning behind allowing the entire municipality to vote was that the separation would impact the entire region, and thus, all should have a say. This exemplifies the challenges faced when opting for the 'ask for permission' route. The existing power structure will always find suitable pretexts to maintain the status quo.
If we shift the context to consider this situation as if it was a marriage, the hypocrisy becomes clear. None of those who oppose Sigtuna's secession from the municipality—on the grounds that people outside Sigtuna don't want it—would apply the same logic to a marital scenario. If one partner in a marriage wishes to leave, they should not be forced to stay simply because the other partner opposes the divorce. This is especially true in cases where there is blatant exploitation, much like the exploitation Sigtuna endures, both through tax redistribution and the misuse of its name.
The moral aspect of the situation in Sigtuna, where the support for separation wasn't unanimous but rather a little over 50 percent, can certainly be discussed. However, if the vote for separation in Sigtuna had been a unanimous 100 percent and they still lost due to the numerically superior areas of Märsta and Valsta, then the moral argument would be much less contentious.
In Orania, the desire for independence and self-determination isn't a divisive issue but a shared goal. The inhabitants of Orania are united in their pursuit of these objectives, making their collective will clear and undisputed. This shared vision is one of the key factors that set Orania apart and bolster its push for future recognition and autonomy. This unity is the primary reason why Orania succeeded where Sigtuna did not - in achieving the ability to manage its own municipal affairs.
Orania operates largely independently. The community has its own town council, local economy, and provides local community services and infrastructure. However, the precise legal status of Orania, as its own municipality in the eyes of the state, is somewhat complex. Orania falls geographically within the borders of the Thembelihle Local Municipality, yet this governing body doesn't exercise any power within the area governed by the Orania Representative Council and doesn't deliver any services to Orania.
This unique situation has been shaped by key developments. In 2000, Orania and the state of South Africa settled out of court in a high-profile case, which essentially allowed Orania to operate outside of the new municipal system, thus establishing a legal precedent. This settlement not only created a de facto recognition but also gave Orania a de jure status.
Additionally, the Pixley ka Seme District Municipality, which acts as an umbrella over the local municipalities in the area, including Thembelihle, approved a city development plan presented by Orania. This acceptance by the District Municipality directly, without needing to go through Thembelihle, was a significant acknowledgment of Orania's independent status, marking a hard-to-reverse recognition of its operations.
Thus, while Orania might exist in a legal gray area, the community's ability to operate independently and its formal recognition through the city development plan clearance reveal that Orania is much more than a de facto municipality. It's worth noting, though, that this special status of sovereignty exists only at the local level. At the district, provincial, and national levels, Orania remains an integral part of the South African political system.
This sense of independence and determination is not just confined to the legal and political realms. It also resonates deeply in the day-to-day lives of Orania's inhabitants. Take, for instance, a team of carpenters I met there. I have encountered many carpenters who take immense pride in what they have built, being able to point to a house and say they've actualized it. However, I have never seen such pride as I did in a carpenter I met in Orania. In his workplace, alongside his team, they were building a terraced house. But in his eyes, he wasn't just building a house for someone to live in - he was building a nation. The joy, enthusiasm, and pride he expressed were unparalleled; each brick laid was a step towards realizing the dream of an independent homeland. This deep-rooted connection between their labor and the progress of their community is yet another feature that makes Orania truly unique.
The journey from being an unpopulated semi-desert to a beacon of self-determination didn't come from asking for permission. Instead, it was born out of daring to envision a different path, to stand tall amidst the wilderness, and to take the steps necessary to create their own destiny.
Orania serves as a reminder that the realization of freedom and independence is not only read about in history books, but we are witnessing it unfold in real time, and not through the conventional paths of reform and negotiation, but in the strength of a community united by a shared vision. Like the 'little giant' that stands proudly over their town, ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work, the people of Orania are a living testament to the power of ‘Building a Nation: One Brick at a Time’.