Who and what is AfriForum?

AfriForum is an Afrikaans civil rights organisation that protects the rights of minority groups at national as well as provincial level, and anyone who can identify with AfriForum’s principles and objectives may join the organisation. AfriForum’s community plan focuses on mobilising communities to thus take control of their own streets and neighbourhoods again. AfriForum ensures that your constitutional and civil rights are recognised and protected at national level.

Wie en wat is AfriForum?

AfriForum is ’n Afrikaanse burgerregteorganisasie wat die regte van minderheidsgroepe op sowel nasionale as provinsiale vlak beskerm, en enigiemand wat met AfriForum se beginsels en doelstellings kan identifiseer, mag by die organisasie aansluit. AfriForum se gemeenskapsplan fokus daarop om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer om só weer beheer terug te neem oor hul eie strate en woonbuurtes. AfriForum verseker dat jou grondwetlike én burgerregte op nasionale vlak erken en beskerm word.

AFRIFORUM- SUCCESS: NOVEMBER 2019

Community Safety

AfriForum’s neighbourhood watches in the Apies River area held a mass patrol with the aim of preventing crime. The patrol took place in cooperation with security companies and community members that assisted in increasing visibility in the area.
AfriForum’s Pionier neighbourhood watch in Pretoria participated in the national visibility action during which the neighbourhood watch held a foot patrol to increase visibility in the area.
A patroller of the Pionier neighbourhood watch in Pretoria reported a suspicious person that was busy jumping over fences into private properties. The neighbourhood watch members reacted immediately and caught the suspect within minutes.
The civil rights watchdog AfriForum submitted letters at 20 police stations in the Pretoria district to once again make the police aware of the process related to the handling of landgrab issues. The letters were submitted together with a directive from the national police commissioner that was earlier this year sent to police stations all over the country.
AfriForum’s East Moot neighbourhood watch arrested a suspect after two patrollers of the neighbourhood watch witnessed an attacker as he threw and pushed a woman against a wall. The suspect grabbed the woman’s handbag and attempted to run away. The neighbourhood watch members however chased the suspect down, after which Kilner Park Security assisted with the arrest of the suspect.
AfriForum presented Project Nehemiah training to 125 neighbourhood watch members in the Greater Pretoria vicinity. Members of other neighbourhood watches in Brits, Rustenburg, Fochville and Benoni also attended the training. Project Nehemiah is a strategy against violent crime.
AfriForum’s East Moot branch supplied water to residents of the Waverley area in cooperation with the neighbourhood watch after they were left without any water for two days. This followed after residents of the area approached the AfriForum branch for assistance to get access to water so that they can continue with their daily activities.

NORTHERN REGION

LIMPOPO

The civil rights watchdog AfriForum submitted letters at ten police stations in Limpopo to once again make the police aware of the process related to the handling of landgrab issues. The letters were submitted together with a directive from the national police commissioner that was earlier this year sent to police stations all over the country.
AfriForum submitted criminal charges against Dr Ntsie Kgaphole, Head of Limpopo’s Department of Health, as part of the organisation’s national campaign against the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill. This follows after AfriForum studied the Department’s annual report and concluded that Kgaphole is guilty of transgressions in terms of Section 86(1) of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999).

Thabazimbi

AfriForum’s Thabazimbi branch reorganised. The reorganisation is aimed at better assisting the community with problems they experience.

Tzaneen

Members of AfriForum’s Tzaneen and Modjadjiskloof neighbourhood watches held a roadblock in the town in cooperation with the SAPS and other role-players. The roadblock was aimed at improving safety before the festive season, as well as protecting the community.

Naboomspruit

AfriForum’s Naboomspruit branch repaired two borehole pumps in the town during November to subsequently deliver better water supply to the community.

Ellisras

AfriForum’s Ellisras branch’s youth portfolio launched an action to collect food for the local SPCA. The action was aimed at ensuring that the SPCA has enough stock during the festive season.

GAUTENG

AfriForum performed water tests in the Hammanskraal area and found that the water is not suitable for human consumption and subsequently submitted a charge at the Human Rights Commission together with a lawyer’s letter to the Tshwane Metro regarding the water situation. This followed after the Hammanskraal area and its residents didn’t have any access to water for quite some time.
The City of Tshwane revealed to AfriForum in a management meeting that they will compensate pre-paid electricity users who paid the wrong tariff in November.

Garsfontein

AfriForum tackled a do-it-yourself action at the Hoërskool Waterkloof where the organisation was of assistance by painting the school’s parking area and road signs to subsequently improve road safety. This action forms part of the organisation’s bigger project that entails supporting schools and promoting safety on the schoolgrounds.

East Moot

AfriForum’s East Moot branch removed a tree that was blown over and fell on the road. The tree was blown over due to strong winds that raged in the area in November.

Springs

AfriForum’s Springs branch and the organisation’s air support unit held a special operation in cooperation with the SAPS during which 23 arrests were made.
As part of AfriForum’s #YourTown campaign, the organisation’s Springs branch launched a mass clean-up action at the War Memorial.

Kempton Park

As part of AfriForum’s #YourTown campaign, the organisation’s Kempton Park branch removed 580 illegal advertisement boards from lampposts.
The AfriForum branch in Kempton Park planted ten purslane trees and one lemon tree as part of the civil rights organisation’s #YourTown campaign.
AfriForum’s East Rand branches participated in the SAPSs Operation Masakhane in the Kempton Park area in cooperation with the SAPS, CPFs and various security companies.

Germiston

The AfriForum branch in Germiston launched a mass clean-up action in the Lambton area.
The civil rights watchdog AfriForum submitted letters at seven police stations on the East Rand to once again make the police aware of the process related to the handling of landgrab issues.

Fochville

The AfriForum branch in Fochville performed a visibility patrol on Black Friday in cooperation with the SAPS and CPF.

MPUMALANGA

AfriForum branches in Mpumalanga opposed the process relating to NHI by delivering input during meetings held in the province.
AfriForum’s branches in Mpumalanga made a contribution towards the Drought Relief Fund.

Piet Retief

AfriForum’s Piet Retief neighbourhood watch held a mass patrol in cooperation with the SAPS and made various arrests.
AfriForum’s Piet Retief branch and neighbourhood watch received medical training.

Standerton

AfriForum’s Standerton neighbourhood watch rendered assistance during the extinguishing of veldt fires in and around Standerton.
The neighbourhood watch held a mass patrol.
The neighbourhood watch brought cattle thieves to book.
AfriForum’s Standerton branch participated in the organisation’s #YourTown campaign and helped in the safeguarding of schools by means of installing cameras.

Teks (Trichardt, Evander, Kinross and Secunda)

The Teks neighbourhood watch was of assistance at accident scenes.
AfriForum’s Teks neighbourhood watch participated in a visibility patrol in cooperation with the SAPS.
The Teks branch performed maintenance at the Davies Hof old-age home.
AfriForum’s Teks neighbourhood watch held a mass patrol.
AfriForum’s Teks neighbourhood watch rendered assistance by extinguishing veldt fires.
AfriForum’s Teks branch and neighbourhood watch achieved great success during the #AnchorTownRoadShow campaign that was held in Secunda.

Ermelo

The Ermelo branch participated in AfriForum’s #YourTown campaign by doing paintwork at schools.

Witbank

AfriForum’s Witbank branch kicked off their project to fill up potholes and to replace stop signs. This forms part of the organisation’s #YourTown campaign.

Leandra

AfriForum’s Leandra neighbourhood watch participated in a mass patrol.

Delmas

AfriForum’s Delmas-Eloff and Argent neighbourhood watches participated in a mass patrol.
AfriForum’s Delmas-Eloff and Argent neighbourhood watches rendered assistance by extinguishing veldt fires in and around these areas.

White River

AfriForum’s White River neighbourhood watch participated in Operation Wydkyk which was aimed at maintaining extra visibility during the festive season.
The White River branch contributed R10 000 towards the Drought Relief Fund.

Nelspruit

AfriForum’s Nelspruit branch launched yet another clean-up project in cooperation with We Care 4 Nelspruit. This initiative will continue on a monthly basis.
The Nelspruit branch’s youth portfolio sponsored a hole at the Pro Gratia School’s Golf Day in Komatipoort.
AfriForum’s Cairn-Burnside farm watch rendered assistance by helping to trace a stolen vehicle.
The Cairn-Burnside farm watch participated in Operation Wydkyk which was aimed at maintaining extra visibility during the festive season.
The Cairn-Burnside farm watch was of assistance during a landgrab in the Cairn area.
AfriForum’s Nelspruit branch contributed R5 000 towards the Drought Relief Fund. They made a video thereof and challenged other AfriForum branches to join them. The initiative eventually led to more than R400 000 being collected for drought relief. The branch also contributed an additional R10 000 towards the fund.
The branch held an NHI awareness meeting.

Bethal

AfriForum’s Bethal branch’s dustbin project is sustainable and 30 dustbins in the town’s CBD are serviced on a weekly basis.
The branch’s waterpoint is in a state of alert to supply the community with water should the water supply to the town be interrupted again.
The branch held a pothole repair action during which Blesbok, Kleynhans, Malherbe and Van Riebeeck Streets were repaired. This action formed part of the organisation’s #YourTown campaign.
The branch contributed R5 000 towards the Drought Relief Fund.

Lydenburg

AfriForum’s Lydenburg branch directed a letter to the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality regarding a sewage leakage, after which it was repaired.
The branch contributed R10 000 towards the Drought Relief Fund.
AfriForum’s Lydenburg neighbourhood watch participated in Operation Wydkyk which was aimed at maintaining extra visibility during the festive season.

Machadodorp

AfriForum’s Machadodorp branch filled up potholes as part of the #YourTown campaign.

Middelburg

AfriForum’s Middelburg neighbourhood watch participated in Operation Wydkyk which was aimed at maintaining extra visibility during the festive season.
The neighbourhood watch is currently busy getting a radio control room ready to offer extra ability in the area. It forms part of the #YourTown campaign.
AfriForum’s Middelburg branch held an NHI awareness meeting.

CENTRAL REGION

NORTH WEST

Rustenburg

AfriForum’s Rustenburg branch kicked off their clean-up project. This follows after various community members complained about scattered litter and grass not being cut. AfriForum is attempting to drive this as a sustainable project that can take place at least two to three times a week.

Lichtenburg

AfriForum’s Lichtenburg branch cleaned up the General De la Rey statue on the corner of Gerrit Maritz and Dr Nelson Mandela Streets.

Zeerust

AfriForum launched a project to increase visibility at national level for the coming festive season.

Coligny

The AfriForum branch in Coligny planted ten of the Tree Wisteria and twenty of the Bushveld gardenia at the Laerskool G.R. Setsetse as part of the organisation’s annual arbour month project.

Potchefstroom

The AfriForum branch in Potchefstroom filled up 183 potholes during November.

Stilfontein

The local government representative of the AfriForum branch in Stilfontein continuously placed pressure on the municipality to perform maintenance work.

FREE STATE

Sasolburg

The AfriForum branch in Sasolburg held a clean-up action at the small dam in Tuinedal.
The branch in Sasolburg cut the grass at the various green strips in the town.
The AfriForum branch regularly held patrols in the town and is planning extra patrols during the festive season.

Bethlehem

AfriForum took its #AnchorTownRoadShow campaign to Bethlehem to increase the civil rights organisation’s presence in the town and to create hope together with the community. AfriForum’s Bethlehem branch painted road signs, speed bumps, stop signs and pedestrian crossings at the Primêre Skool Jordania, Hoërskool Witteberg, Hoërskool Voortrekker, Laerskool Truida Kestell and Maluti Hooglandskool during the first week of the campaign. The aim of the action was to improve road safety at the schools, as well as to create more visibility.
The Bethlehem branch was of great help to improve safety and perform maintenance at the Sonskyn service centre. The branch installed hand railings in the bathrooms of various units on the premises for the safety of the elderly, while 18 shower heads were also replaced. The branch furthermore held a “feel good” action for the residents of the Eike and Sonskyn service centres during which boerie rolls were handed out to residents. The branch also donated 12 trees to the Maluti Hooglandskool during the campaign, while they also renovated the entrance of the Charlotte Theron children’s home. The grass of the park close to the Laerskool Truida Kestell was cut, while litter was also picked up in and around the park. The branch furthermore tackled a maintenance project at the Bethlehem Museum by sanding and treating the window frames of the museum and the barn. The Bethlehem branch also made a donation to the museum. Ernst Roets, AfriForum’s Head of Policy and Action, discussed safety related issues at the museum with Ian Cameron, AfriForum’s Head of Community Safety, and Marnus Kamfer, AfriForum’s Legal and Risk Manager for Community Safety, during the Quo Vadis? conversation series.

Steynsrus

AfriForum held a branch and neighbourhood watch establishment meeting in Steynsrus. The community approached AfriForum to establish a branch after a need therefore arose in the town. A total of 35 community members attended the meeting, during which the management of the branch was elected.

Frankfort

The AfriForum branch in Frankfort maintained the cemetery in Frankfort throughout the year. The grass was cut regularly so that the cemetery looks neat and tidy, while litter was also picked up regularly.

Parys

The AfriForum branch in Parys attempted to obtain an urgent court order regarding the contaminated water in the town, but the case was scrapped from the court roll.

KWAZULU-NATAL

AfriForum’s branches in KwaZulu-Natal submitted criminal charges against the Head of the Provincial Department of Health.

Vryheid

AfriForum’s Vryheid branch held an urgent meeting regarding water problems.
The branch assisted with various arrests of wanted criminals.
The branch renovated a neighbourhood in Vryheid.
The branch directed various letters to the municipality regarding gross misconduct.

Margate

AfriForum’s Margate branch submitted criminal charges against the manager of the Ugu District Municipality due to financial misconduct.

Pongola

AfriForum’s Pongola branch held a meeting with the municipality regarding electricity supply problems.
The branch was part of the Pongola clean-up day.
The branch directed written complaints to the district municipality due to sewage spillage.
AfriForum’s Pongola branch rendered assistance with the control of plant growth next to the N2.

Paulpietersburg

AfriForum’s Paulpietersburg branch painted a dangerous crossing.

Richards Bay

AfriForum’s Richards Bay branch presented training in legal aspects to its patrollers.

SOUTHERN REGION

EASTERN CAPE

Port Elizabeth

The Port Elizabeth branch of AfriForum presented an extremely successful informational meeting to inform the people of the Eastern Cape about the government’s proposed National Health Insurance.

WESTERN CAPE

AfriForum submitted criminal charges against Dr Beth Engelbrecht, Head of the Western Cape Department of Health, as part of the organisation’s national campaign against the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill. This follows after AfriForum studied the Department’s annual report and found that Engelbrecht is guilty of violations in terms of Section 86(1) of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999).

Hessequa

AfriForum’s Hessequa branch’s safety structures further expanded with the establishment of a neighbourhood watch in Still Bay. It required hard work and will have an immense impact on the community’s safety.

Mossel Bay

The Mossel Bay branch gave credit to the Mossel Bay municipal management during a beautiful ceremony for the excellent manner in which the municipal area was managed in 2019. Mossel Bay is an example of superb management and progress.

Oudtshoorn

AfriForum’s Oudtshoorn branch made great progress in the process of placing pressure on the municipal management, to such an extent that there is now even intervention from the provincial government. Officials were suspended and charged, all thanks to the pressure coming from the AfriForum branch.

Helderberg Basin

As part of AfriForum’s #YourTown campaign, the organisation’s Helderberg Basin branch cleaned up the green strip next to the Summervale retirement home in Gordons Bay. This green strip, which stretches from Lemoenboom Street to Dennehof Street, was cleaned up in cooperation with Blue Daisy Lawns.

Cape Town North

The proto team members of the AfriForum neighbourhood watch in Bellville received training in radio speech procedures. Johandré van Zyl, AfriForum’s Head of Safety for the southern region, presented the training session.

Kraaifontein

Twelve members of AfriForum’s Kraaifontein neighbourhood watch and the Kraaifontein Sector 4B neighbourhood watch received level 1 training in firefighting. AfriForum presented this training in cooperation with SafeTech.

Robertson

The AfriForum neighbourhood watch in Robertson received training in accident scene handling. Johandré van Zyl, AfriForum’s Head of Safety for the southern region, presented the training session.