Campaign against Steve Hofmeyr attests to double standards
AfriForum is of the opinion that the reaction to Steve Hofmeyr's remarks serves as confirmation of the gross double standards in force in South Africa and that these double standards contribute to many Afrikaners becoming further alienated from South Africa.
AfriForum regards Hofmeyr as a friend. There is an understanding in force between AfriForum and Steve Hofmeyr that Hofmeyr speaks for himself and not for AfriForum. In the same manner AfriForum speaks for itself and not for Hofmeyr. This means that AfriForum sometimes agrees with Hofmeyr's actions and sometimes it doesn't. AfriForum for instance agrees with Hofmeyr that there is nothing wrong with singing Die Stem at Afrikaans cultural occasions. AfriForum however disagrees on the desirability to become involved with a racial debate.
AfriForum believes in the furtherance of mutual recognition and respect amongst communities. This means that AfriForum respects all communities in the country, but at the same time has the self-respect to protect those things that are important to Afrikaners. Since its inception AfriForum has scrupulously kept to the principle that actions by the organisation must never be for the benefit of one group at the expense of another.
Die Stem
‘Die Stem van Suid-Afrika' is a poem written in 1918 by CJ Langenhoven, one of the greatest Afrikaans writers and cultural leaders. The poem was later set to music and the lyrics speak of the beauty of South Africa and of devotion to making this country a better place. Die Stem only became the national anthem of the then Union of South Africa in 1957. The song is included in the FAK songbook and is generally seen as one of the many cultural treasures born from the Afrikaans language.