The recent release of the joint Afrikaner Declaration has reignited the discourse on identity. Because some Afrikaners identify with the Declaration and are at ease with their Afrikaner identity it has elicited reactions of surprise, scepticism and even hostility from a diverse group of South Africans.

Accusations have been hurled of Afrikaner nationalism, racism, mobilisation and a laager mentality rooted in conservatism and nostalgia for Apartheid. These criticisms stem mostly from unconstitutional intolerance and individualism and they are revelling in the age-old Afrikaner fights. We aspire to be anything – but please, just not an Afrikaner! Suddenly everyone, whether Afrikaner or not, has an opinion. This is not the first time such a debate has occurred, nor will it be the last. Consequently, the group endorsing the Declaration did not presume to represent all Afrikaners.

Ironically, the same critics who distance themselves from the concept of Afrikaner are perceived and labelled as such by their fellow South Africans.

Recently former president Thabo Mbeki in observing the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s democracy said that he was struck by the Afrikaner Declaration. He went on to say that it seems as if this declaration “communicates a vitally important commitment I trust all of us share, that – together we must contribute to the well-being of the country and all its people. It is exactly this spirit and noble attitude which guarantee that working together we will overcome!”

This article does not aim to articulate the intricacies of the debate, but rather to offer a glimpse into the perspective of an Afrikaner, one who is at ease with his multifaceted identities. I navigate these identities with fluidity, expressing myself through each one:

I am a Christian, an Afrikaner and Afrikaans-speaking.

I am a South African and a global citizen.

I am from Africa

I am the 9th generation Bosman in a family that has been in South Africa for over 300 years.

I am part of the Western European Cultural Community.

I am a city dweller and a member of a neighborhood community.

I am an active participant in various social media communities.

I am a family man and a member of an active economic community in my profession.

These identities have been adapted from FW De Klerk’s Afrikaner identity statement presented at the Afrikanerbond’s National Council at the Voortrekker Monument on 29 May 2015

On Monday, 22 April, many of us signed the Afrikaner Declaration with ease and without any regret or shame. We embrace the Afrikaner character, acknowledging its faults and liabilities, but also appreciating its benefits. Our constitutional right to freedom of association allows us to connect with others over shared interests and identities. Over the decades, we have learned to maintain and express ourselves through our multitude of identities. We have also learned to balance these identities, as they shape us.

The previous Friday, I attended a conference in Johannesburg where South Africans of all backgrounds came together to share their visions for our country and collectively brainstorm solutions to our shared challenges. As an Afrikaner, I found myself comfortably fitting into my South African identity, alongside my fellow citizens, both black and white, Afrikaans- and English-speaking, without having to exchange one identity for another.

And the question often arises: Afrikaner or South African? The implication is that one must choose. However, these identities are not mutually exclusive. I am an Afrikaner, and simultaneously, I am a South African. Each identity enriches me individually and collectively, shaping who I am. I take pride in each of these identities, and I believe that additional identities can be embraced based on personal preferences.

Our Constitution recognises and protects this multiplicity of identities, whether they are based on language, culture, religion, or association. These identities form the foundation of our human dignity, the core value around which the rest of the Constitution revolves.

The preamble to the 1996 version of the Constitution affirms that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity. Yet, the Constitution is often selectively used to criticise Afrikaners, while the same critics overlook section 30 (Language and Culture) and section 31 (Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities).

The Constitution also confirms the basis of our national unity, provided that this unity is shaped by our diversity. It seems that these constitutional sections only apply to the 13 traditional royal houses and numerous traditional leaders and their subjects. It is apparently acceptable to refer to black professional bodies such as the Black Lawyers Association and the Black Business Council, but when a group of Afrikaners identifies themselves, it becomes a problem. Where are these critics when the Constitution is violated then?

It is important to note that the South African Constitution does not use the international term ‘minorities’, but instead refers to communities or groups. The Constitution defines three types of communities: cultural, religious and linguistic, which encompass the characteristics used globally to define ethnic, religious and linguistic ‘minorities’.

The term ‘South African’ is a political concept and should not be conflated with a cultural one. There is no singular South African culture, but there is a nationality. This is evident in the fact that there isn’t a single South African language or uniform cultural customs. We have not been collectively moulded by historical forces.

However, when South Africa competes on the sports field, or when we find ourselves among people from other countries, we identify as South Africans. This is our patriotism, our loyalty. From a nationality perspective, I am first and foremost a South African and will proudly fly my South African flag. In terms of nationality, I am a South African, distinguishing me from other nationalities.

On the other hand, the term ‘Afrikaner’ pertains to cultural identity, which encompasses the language spoken, a shared historical origin, established cultural customs and more. In 2010, the late constitutional expert Prof. Marinus Wiechers wrote, “The individual is the most important carrier of culture, but culture only gains full vitality and fame if it is experienced and preserved by a group of people, in other words, experienced within a particular cultural community. A cultural community is known by different factors, usually by common language, religion and history.” From this cultural perspective, I am first and foremost an Afrikaner, and I will strive to maintain and develop my culture and identity. This is a constitutional right and an internationally recognised practice.

Even UNESCO, in its quest to establish an international charter of cultural diversity, defines culture in the 1982 Mexico City Declaration of Cultural Policies as “the distinct spiritual, material, intellectual, and emotional features characterizing a society. It encompasses arts, lifestyle, human rights, value systems, traditions, and beliefs. Culture shapes individuals and societies, fostering unity through shared values and traditions.” Why, then treat Afrikaners differently?

Another facet of our identity is our shared commitment to the Afrikaans language. In this context, we share the language with millions of speakers and must unite to allow Afrikaans to flourish. It’s important to respect that not all who speak Afrikaans are Afrikaners.

The challenge in South Africa is that many of these identities – my Afrikaner identity and my Afrikaans identity – are under immense pressure. In other parts of the world, religious identities are under similar pressure, leading to serious conflicts. Some argue that Afrikaans is stronger than ever, and this may indeed be the case. Afrikaans has gained significant commercial importance through television, books and art.

However, Afrikaans is not just a commercial language, but also an official and educational language. If it is diminished, should we remain silent? If we are labelled as ‘a special type of colonialists’, land grabbers and invaders, and constantly reminded that all of South Africa’s problems started in 1652, and our heritage is erased by renaming towns and streets, should we simply accept it?

This is one side of the coin – when does identity become a danger? It is only when one identity becomes my sole driving force, my highest ideal, my only identity, that I risk falling prey to negative identity politics. Thus, promoting whiteness within a culture of superiority, or self-interest alone, can lead to serious ideological conflict.

In recent decades, South Africans have grappled with the concept of a national identity. It appears this identity is the most elusive of all, with the only common thread being our shared residence within specific political borders. We cannot simply be the rainbow nation.

In their article “Democracy and South Africa”, Professor Albert Venter and Deon Geldenhuys discuss the foundation of a national identity:

“The Constitution of 1996 provides the foundations for a constitutionally based national identity in South Africa. The Constitution embeds values such as the unity of the South African state, a common citizenship, a national anthem, recognition of eleven national languages, a bill of rights, the independence of the judiciary, a fundamental commitment to equality, freedom of association, religion, opinion and speech. Moreover, the rights of cultural, religious and ethnic communities are enshrined in the Constitution. If these values are internalised by everyone in South Africa over time and a loyalty to them is demonstrated by the vast majority of South Africans, it will form a particularly powerful foundation for the experience of a national identity in South Africa.”

As we celebrate 30 years of democracy in 2024, we can assert that the creation of a national identity has significant shortcomings and gaps, and that attacks on democracy and the state have seriously undermined this national identity.

So, where do we go from here? South Africa is in dire need of a new national identity, a need that remains unfulfilled even after thirty years. The values have been established. Despite the current deep divisions, we share certain commonalities. It is on these commonalities that we can build a united South Africa. A country and society that acknowledges the dignity of people with diverse identities. Only then can we bridge the varied identities of faith, race, culture and ethnicity. This is who we are – the authentic South Africa. A nation of many diversities, a people of many identities.

However, because some cannot accept, respect and promote this diversity, Afrikaners are dictated as to who they should be and what they should represent.

Indeed, South Africa is a country where diverse cultures coexist and collaborate harmoniously. We are interdependent, and the fate of the Afrikaner is intertwined with that of South Africa. The Afrikaner cannot be separated from the country, nor can they seek their salvation elsewhere. I am an Afrikaner and a South African. I am committed to building and staying here.

The Afrikaner Declaration can be read at the website below (Afrikaans, English, Pedi, Tswana and Xhosa)

https://afrikanerverklaring.co.za/

Jan Bosman is Chief Secretary of the Afrikanerbond