Very few ironies ring louder than the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) securing a vote in Orania, the whites-only town known for its hyper-conservative Afrikaner roots.
EFF scores a vote in whites-only Orania
Orania, founded as an enclave for Afrikaners in post-apartheid South Africa, has long been a bastion of hyper-conservative values.
The 2,800-strong community, isolated from the multicultural nation of almost 60 million, prides itself on maintaining Afrikaner culture and language.
Orania’s electoral results reflected its conservative leanings, with the Freedom Front Plus (VF PLUS) receiving 65.62% of the vote, followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) at 22.16%.
Amid these predictable outcomes, the single vote for the EFF stands out like a red beret at an Afrikaner family reunion.
The irony of the situation is not lost on anyone familiar with South African history. The EFF, led by the fiery Julius Malema, advocates for the expropriation of land without compensation and has often clashed with the country’s white minority, particularly over issues related to apartheid’s legacy.
Orania, on the other hand, was founded by Carel Boshoff, the grandson of Hendrik Verwoerd, the architect of apartheid. It remains a symbol of Afrikaner self-determination and resistance to integration.
During the election campaign, Orania kept a low profile, its residents focused on their unique way of life. Carel Boshoff, now 53, had expressed concerns that the current political climate might remind Afrikaners of the end of apartheid. “It’s as if people don’t realize we lost the country 30 years ago. But if the EFF or MK becomes part of the government, then suddenly they will realize we lost it,” Boshoff remarked.
The single vote for the EFF in Orania could be seen as a humorous anomaly, a reflection of the unpredictable nature of politics. It might also be a sign that even in the most unlikely places, voices of dissent and calls for radical change can find a foothold.
The full results from the Orania voting station are as follows:
- VF PLUS: 376 votes (65.62%)
- DA: 127 votes (22.16%)
- #HOPE4SA: 38 votes (6.63%)
- ACDP: 17 votes (2.97%)
- UIM: 4 votes (0.70%)
- RP: 3 votes (0.52%)
- OHM: 2 votes (0.35%)
- PA: 2 votes (0.35%)
- DLC: 1 vote (0.17%)
- EFF: 1 vote (0.17%)
- FREE DEMS: 1 vote (0.17%)
- ACTIONSA: 1 vote (0.17%)