Joost Strydom runs the Orania Movement and showed reporters around his town during early June. The small community sits inside South Africa's Northern Cape province and only allows Afrikaner people to live there. Leaders created this place back during 1991 as a spot where white Afrikaners could build their culture without outside interference. The town has separate schools, money, shops and speaks Afrikaans language everywhere. Critics attack the community for keeping other races away from joining.
Strydom defended his town against people who call it racist segregation. He explained that Afrikaners want to protect their unique history and religious beliefs from disappearing. Visitors from different backgrounds can tour the area but cannot become permanent residents. The community requires all residents to do their manual work instead of hiring outside help. This policy makes sure nobody can accuse Afrikaners of exploiting other groups to build their dream.
The town focuses heavily on becoming independent from South African government services. Energy chief Riaan Jacobs runs solar panels that provide about 45 percent of the electricity needs. This helps reduce problems when the national government cuts power to save money. Strydom wants the current 3,000 residents to prepare space for 7,000 more Afrikaners who might need refuge. He hopes this community offers an alternative to people applying for refugee status in America under Trump's recent executive order.
Strydom defended his town against people who call it racist segregation. He explained that Afrikaners want to protect their unique history and religious beliefs from disappearing. Visitors from different backgrounds can tour the area but cannot become permanent residents. The community requires all residents to do their manual work instead of hiring outside help. This policy makes sure nobody can accuse Afrikaners of exploiting other groups to build their dream.
The town focuses heavily on becoming independent from South African government services. Energy chief Riaan Jacobs runs solar panels that provide about 45 percent of the electricity needs. This helps reduce problems when the national government cuts power to save money. Strydom wants the current 3,000 residents to prepare space for 7,000 more Afrikaners who might need refuge. He hopes this community offers an alternative to people applying for refugee status in America under Trump's recent executive order.
