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Cape independence

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Cape independence (Afrikaans: Kaapse Onafhanklikheid ; isiXhosa: Inkululeko yaseKapa) is the separatist movement to make the Western Cape province - and often other regions of the Eastern and Northern Cape provinces[1] - to become an independent state from the rest of South Africa.[2][3]

The Western Cape (dark red) within South Africa (light yellow).

Supporters of Cape Independence at a march

The Western Cape province is unique amongst the other provinces in South Africa in that there is no majority racial group, being the most diverse sub-national region in Southern Africa. A majority of Western Cape inhabitants speak Afrikaans as a first language, with sizeable minorities speaking English and isiXhosa as their first languages. A plurality of the Cape's inhabitants are 'Coloured', an ultra-diverse[4][5] group of people with varying ancestry of African, Asian, European and Khoisan peoples. The movement is largely viewed to be driven by a racial bias mostly against the black population of the province.[6]

History

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Formation of the Union of South Africa

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In the late 19th century there were a four colonies and independent states in what is now South Africa - the British Cape Colony, Natal and the two Boer Republics -Orange Free State and South African Republic. There were numerous attempts to unify these separate entities due to fears of external (non British) European powers interference.[7] Numerous proposals where put forward from a highly centralised unitary state to a more lose decentralised confederation as proposed by power cape politician Saul Solomon.[8] Ultimately though these endevours failed, and war broke out between the British Empire and the Boer Republics following the discovery of gold in the South African Republic. [9]

Following the British victory in the war, the South Africa act of 1909, was passed by the British parliament and the newly conquered republics alongside the Cape Colony and Natal where unified into one centralised, unitary state - the Union of South Africa. This was unlike with the formation of Canada and Australia which were created as federations.[10]

Apartheid years

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The former Cape Colony was unique in that the franchise to vote wasn't determined by skin colour, but on residential, economical and educational requirements, in start contrast to the other colonies.[11] Initially the right to this franchise was upheld, but with the substantial support for segregation based policies from the incorporated northern regions these rights where gradually reduce. [12][13][14] This had a significant effect on the support for the United Party, which drew large support from coloured people in the Cape. As a result, in 1948 the National Party campaigning on the platform of apartheid one the general election being able to draw on conservative white voters in the much more densely populated north. [15][16]

During the subsequent apartheid years, the Cape Province continuing with its liberal tradition. In 1951, in opposition to the National Party led government's move to finally strike all coloureds off the voters roll. The torch commando a non-racial group of former white and non-white former military personal led large scale protests in the Cape against these policies. With torch lit marches in Cape Town drawing up to 75'000 protesters.[17][18] Within parliament opposition towards apartheid was led under the leadership of Progressive Party, whith the majority of support being located in the Cape Province.[19][20]

During the negotiations to end apartheid, there were favours calls to form a more decentralised federal state. Advocated by the likes of the Democratic Party, successor to the Progressive Party, Freedom Front and others. However, ultimately the National Party (NP) and African National Congress (ANC) agreed to settle on a partially-devolved unitary state.[21]

Post Apartheid

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After the fall of Apartheid in 1994, the Cape Province and other provinces were divided into new provinces: the Western Cape, Eastern and Northern Cape. The Western Cape was the one of the only provinces not to vote for the ANC, instead opting to vote for the now reformed and non-racial New National Party. Throughout the following years, the ANC never managed to attain a majority in the Western Cape. Only forming a local government once from 2004 to 2009 during a period of strong economic growth.[22][23] However, with declining growth and increasing political scandals like the Arms Deal and HIV denialism, the Western Cape voted for the Democratic Party in 2009 who have been in power ever since.[24]

Growth

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Two of the most widely used Cape Independence flags

The Cape Independence movement started in 2007, when the Cape Party was founded off a FaceBook group, on growing disillusionment with the national government's continued use of race-based policies and declining economic growth. [25][26] The movement gained little traction until the latter half of the 2010s, when - after years of persistent governmental corruption, the inability of the DA to significantly grow out side of the Cape, zero-growth and increasing racial rhetoric on national political sphere - other organisations where formed such as CapExit, Gatvol Capetonian and the Sovereign State of Good Hope.[27][28][29][30][31]

With the coronavirus pandemic of 2020, and further disillusionment with the national government failing to reform[32] despite a new leader the movement begun to gain momentum. The same year the Cape Independence Advocacy Group (a political pressure group) was formed and the first polling on the issue was conducted. The Freedom Front Plus, South Africa's fourth largest political party also came out in support of cape independence.[33]

With the persistence of the pandemic alongside large scale social unrest, where over 300 people died, in the north of the country in 2021 the movement continued on this trajectory.[34]

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Calling of a referendum

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Section 127 of the South African Constitution give provisions for Premiers of provinces to call for referendums in their province. However, currently it is not legally possible for premiers to do so. The Democratic Alliance has put in a bill in 2021 to align the law with the constitution.[35] In addition section 37(f) of the constitution of the Western Cape also gives provisions for Premiers to call for referendums.[36] Proponents of scession argue that hence it is a possiblity to hold a referendum on Cape Independence.

Right to self-determination

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Section 235 of the Constitution of South Africa states[37]:

The right of the South African people as a whole to self-determination, as manifested in this Constitution, does not preclude, within the framework of this right, recognition of the notion of the right of self-determination of any community sharing a common cultural and language heritage, within a territorial entity in the Republic or in any other way, determined by national legislation.

This along, along with the African Union and United nation's charters (of which South Africa is both a member of) allowing for self-determination has been argued as a route for creating a legal framework wherein the Cape could secede from South Africa.[38]

Opinion Polling & Support

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Support

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Empirical data shows that Cape Independence has a substantial support amongst residents of the Western Cape. CapeXit, an NGO gathering signed mandates in support of independence has garnered over +800'000 signatures of registered Western Cape voters.[39] The legitimacy of this figure is disputed, however the organisation says it has implemented mechanisms to verify that identy numbers are legitimate[40] and this figure is actually greatly below 2021 polling results which show that 46% (or 1.39 million) of registered Western Cape voters support Independence outright.[41]

Opinion Polling

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Two opinion polls have been done to date, both conducted by Victory Research a highly respected independent polling company whose clientele includes the Democratic Alliance, Uber, British American Tobacco, First Rand and KPMG.[42]

Date

Conducted

Polling Organisation Sample Size Margin of Error In favour of holding a referendum Against holding a referendum In favour of Independence Against Independence
July 2020 Victory Research [1] 802 ±4% 46.6% 52.3% 35.8% 63.3%
July 2021 Victory Research [2] 886 ±5% 58% 39,5% 46,2% 49,6%

Note: Values don't add up to 100% on account of those not expressing an opinion.

Involved organisations

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Below is presented a table with all the organisations involved in the Cape Independence movement.

Organisation Name Type Goal Regions Included
Cape Independence Advocacy Group Pressure Group Pressure the Western Cape government to hold a referendum Western Cape
CapeXit NGO Secure enough mandates to pressure for the holding of a referendum Western Cape
Cape Coloured Congress Political Party Tentative support Unknown, tentative support
Cape Party Political Party Coalition in Western Cape government and demand a referendum Western Cape, majority and plurality Afrikaans speaking regions of the Eastern and Northern Cape.
Freedom Front Plus Political Party Coalition in Western Cape government and demand a referendum Western Cape
Gatvol Capetoinain Civil group Increase ground based support Unknown
Sovereign State of Good Hope Unknown Western Cape, entirety of Northern Cape and western-half of Eastern Cape.

Criticism

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Accusations of racism

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By far the largest accusation levelled against the Cape Independence movement is that of racism. Critic's claim, that it is a white ethno-nationalist movement seeking to recreate apartheid.[43][44][45] This is despite the movement explicitly calling for a new non-racial country and with support being drawn from all racial groups with whites only making 17% of all Cape Independence supporters as seen in the latest polls.

Legality Arguments

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Critics argue that a constitutional amendment would be required and as section 235 doesn't place a legal obligation for the National Assembly to respect the right to self determination and hence that a referendum would be non-binding nor does it provide a framework for a territory of the Republic to secede.[46]

Spectre of civil war

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It is claimed by opponents of Cape Independence that even if a successful referendum were to be held, the national government would never respect the outcome and would send in the military to forcefully control the region and thus it could only be achieved through civil war.[47][48]

On the other hand, proponents say that civil war is highly improbable considering that: even during apartheid civil war didn't break out, the national government has been decidedly mute on the entire issue and that South Africa is not in the financial position to wage a large scale conflict.[49]

References

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  1. ^ "Khoi-San king declares that the Cape has seceded from SA". The Citizen. 2018-07-17. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  2. ^ https://www.timeslive.co.za/authors/unathi-nkanjeni. "An independent Western Cape on the cards? Here is what you need to know about the independence bid". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2021-08-17. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  3. ^ "Westkapers streven naar onafhankelijkheid". Telegraaf (in Dutch). 2020-07-18. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  4. ^ Schmid, Randolph E. (April 30, 2009). "Africans have world's greatest genetic variation". NBC News. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
  5. ^ Tishkoff SA, Reed FA, Friedlaender FR, et al. (April 2009). "The Genetic Structure and History of Africans and African Americans". Science. 324 (5930): 1035–44. Bibcode:2009Sci...324.1035T. doi:10.1126/science.1172257. PMC 2947357. PMID 19407144.
  6. ^ "Cape independence driven by racial biases - Muslim Views". 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  7. ^ V.C. Malherbe: What They Said. 1795–1910 History Documents. Cape Town: Maskew Miller. 1971.
  8. ^ Solomon, W. E. C: Saul Solomon – the Member for Cape Town. Cape Town: Oxford University Press, 1948.
  9. ^ Iain R. Smith, The Origins of the South African War, 1899–1902 (1996).
  10. ^ South Africa Act, 1909, 9 Edward VII, Chapter 9. It can be found at wikisource.org/wiki/South_Africa_Act_1909.
  11. ^ Rydon, Joan (1956). "The Constitutional Crisis In South Africa". The Australian Quarterly. 28 (1): 38–47. ISSN 0005-0091.
  12. ^ "EISA South Africa: Historical franchise arrangements". Eisa.org.za. Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  13. ^ Natives in South Africa, The Glasgow Herald, 16 June 1937
  14. ^ The South African Constitution, pp 101–109 (for the details of the native representative seats)
  15. ^ "Apartheid FAQ". about.com. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  16. ^ "The 1948 election and the National Party Victory". South African History Online. Archived from the original on 16 August 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2008.
  17. ^ "A History of the Springbok Legion | South African History Online". www.sahistory.org.za. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  18. ^ "23 May 1952 - Most Powerful Man In South Africa". Trove.nla.gov.au. 1952-05-23. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
  19. ^ Native Vs. Settler: Ethnic Conflict in Israel/Palestine, Northern Ireland, and South Africa, Thomas G. Mitchell, Greenwood Publishing Group, 2000, page 82
  20. ^ Leon, Tony (2009). On the Contrary: Leading the Opposition in the New South Africa. Jonathan Ball Publishers. ISBN 1-86842-259-3.
  21. ^ "The Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA): CODESA 1 | South African History Online". www.sahistory.org.za. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  22. ^ "Election 2004 - Results for the Western Cape". Western Cape Government. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  23. ^ "South Africa's economic performance under President Thabo Mbeki". South African Market Insights. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  24. ^ "Shock loss of key province mars ANC national victory in South African election". the Guardian. 2009-04-25. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  25. ^ "Cape Party grows out of Facebook". The Media Online. 9 March 2011. Retrieved 2009-04-14.
  26. ^ "Cape must secede from SA". Independent Online. 25 March 2009. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  27. ^ "Khoi-San king declares that the Cape has seceded from SA". The Citizen. 2018-07-17. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  28. ^ "Cape's race tensions fuel 'Wexit'". The Mail & Guardian. 2019-02-01. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  29. ^ Vegter, Ivo (2019-10-21). "OPINIONISTA: Dreaming of a Cape Republic: Secession may promise liberal salvation, but faces high hurdles". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  30. ^ Toit, Pieter du. "ANALYSIS | Leadership and race: DA review panel a devastating blow for Mmusi Maimane". News24. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  31. ^ ISSAfrica.org (2017-04-10). "South Africa pays the price of state capture". ISS Africa. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  32. ^ "Cyril Ramaphosa is running out of time to reform South Africa". The Economist. 2019-10-19. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  33. ^ Payne, Suné (2020-11-10). "CAPE TOWN PRESS CLUB: 'Our future lies in an independent Western Cape,' says Corné Mulder of FF+". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  34. ^ Charles, Marvin. "Cape Independence: Lobby group says recent survey 'places intense pressure' on DA to hold referendum". News24. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  35. ^ Felix, Jason. "Premiers must have powers to call for referendums for greater devolution of power - DA". News24. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  36. ^ https://www.westerncape.gov.za/Text/2003/wcape_constitution_english.pdf
  37. ^ "Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 - Chapter 14: General provisions | South African Government". www.gov.za. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  38. ^ "Cape independence may see support as dissatisfaction grows - Katzenellenbogen". BizNews.com. 2021-06-23. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  39. ^ https://www.timeslive.co.za/authors/unathi-nkanjeni. "An independent Western Cape on the cards? Here is what you need to know about the independence bid". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2021-08-17. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  40. ^ https://www.timeslive.co.za/authors/anthony-molyneaux. "CapeXit defends '800,000 registrations' amid legitimacy concerns". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2021-08-17. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  41. ^ "New CIAG Poll on Cape Independence 2021". www.capeindependence.org. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  42. ^ "Client – Victory". Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  43. ^ Poplak, Richard (2019-02-03). "TRAINSPOTTER: Cape of Good Nope — How a fringe party heralds arrival of brave new balkanisation". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  44. ^ Verwoerd, Melanie. "Melanie Verwoerd | Wexit: Should the Western Cape become independent?". News24. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  45. ^ https://www.timeslive.co.za/authors/cebelihle-bhengu. "'A Boer republic is a failed dream' - Ndlozi responds to calls for Western Cape independence". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2021-08-17. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  46. ^ Vos, Pierre de (2020-08-12). "OPINIONISTA: Fringe talk of Western Cape secession is reactionary – and unachievable". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  47. ^ "Western Cape independence: Is secession from South Africa possible?". The South African. 2018-07-22. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  48. ^ Vegter, Ivo (2021-08-13). "Cape independence popularity boost". Daily Friend. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  49. ^ Cape Independence Will Not Lead To Civil War - Phil Craig, retrieved 2021-08-17
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