By Ksenia Egorova
Published 1st March 2021

Who's Who of Cape Secession

This article is still in draft mode. Please come back again to read the final (published) version on April the 10th 2021. Thank you.

The first reaction I often hear from from my friends as they begin to discover the Cape Independence movement is one of confusion regarding the number of organisations involved.

I try to explain that there are in fact some benefits to this multiplicity, for starters each group has a distinct style and therefore appeals to different audiences.

Here is a concide list of the most active of the groups, how to support them, and why.

CapeXit

CapeXit is a registered non-profit organization promoting a sovereign independence of the Western Cape and believes achieving independence for the province will encourage other provinces such as Eastern Cape and North Cape to become independent states as well. It was founded in 2012, initially named Western Cape Action Forum, and is run by leaders, Des Palm, Frans Martin, and Peter Van Veeren.

The CapeXit movement’s stated purpose is to support the interests of all people in the Western Cape, irrespective of their race, religion, or political viewpoints. Their aim and goal is to gain the support of 1.6 million Western Cape residents registered with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). The group’s first task is to ensure that locals complete their membership forms and join this fast-growing organization to extend independence to all those living in the Western Cape Province and bring about a government based on pure democracy.

The Cape Independence Advocacy Group

The Cape Independence Advocacy Group (CIAG) is a lobbying group advocating for the secession of the Western Cape. They are determined to create an independent state. It was established in 2020 to organize and advocate for people and organizations aiming for Cape independence. The group’s main objective is to generate a referendum in the Western Cape, in hopes to secede from South Africa and create a new state with a government that represents the people of the Western Cape.

www.capeindependence.org

The Young Cape

For over a century, we have spoken different languages, voted for different parties, played different sports, eaten different food, celebrated different holidays, experienced a different climate, and embodied a fragile and uniquely diverse ecosystem, both culturally and botanically.

At The Young Cape, we want to shine a light on the rich local heritage which is now threatened by majoritarianism and economic devastation under a vicious and corrupt administration unresponsive to public cries for mercy. We wish to bring to life those delicate strands of history woven into the fabric of the life of the Cape, which so often can only find a voice if they serve the narrative of the National Democratic Revolution.

@theyoungcape

@TheYoungCape

The Young Cape

The Cape Party

Cape Party was founded by Jack Miller in 2007, which was initially established from of a Facebook group. The political party aims to pursue the use of all constitutional and legal measures to enforce independence for not only the Western Cape Province but also Northern Cape (sans two districts), several municipalities in the Eastern Cape, as well as one municipality in the Free State province.

In 2017, the organisation grew from a mere 1000 people across South Africa to over 10 000 individuals. The Bolander newspaper, a recent publication, formerly known as the Helderberg Sun, published a statement from the legal executive and Cape Party Advocate Carlo Viljoen. He said that the Cape Party has followers across all sectors of the Kaaplander society and gained over 10 000 supporters from 2017 to 2018.

www.capeparty.com

Cape Party Facebook page

@thecapeparty

@capeparty

Cape Party

The Cape Coloured Congress

Cape Coloured Congress is a political party, initially founded out of the Gatvol Capetonian Movement. The organization's hope is to challenge and win the 2021 local government elections in the Western Cape Province. They aim to be a voice for the voiceless, for so many coloured people who have been disregarded and overlooked, whether it be based on a job, housing, education, or safety and security.

Cape Coloured Congress’s purpose is to emphasize the struggles of Capetonians and the various challenges we face on the Cape Flats. They want to ensure change for the Cape Flats communities and require residents to join their party. Cape Coloured Congress is inclusive of all races, and makes a point that everyone is welcome but that they need to have the best interests of the coloured communities in mind.