Who and what is AfriForum?

AfriForum is an Afrikaans civil rights organisation that protects the rights of minority groups at national as well as provincial level, and anyone who can identify with AfriForum’s principles and objectives may join the organisation. AfriForum’s community plan focuses on mobilising communities to thus take control of their own streets and neighbourhoods again. AfriForum ensures that your constitutional and civil rights are recognised and protected at national level.

Wie en wat is AfriForum?

AfriForum is ’n Afrikaanse burgerregteorganisasie wat die regte van minderheidsgroepe op sowel nasionale as provinsiale vlak beskerm, en enigiemand wat met AfriForum se beginsels en doelstellings kan identifiseer, mag by die organisasie aansluit. AfriForum se gemeenskapsplan fokus daarop om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer om só weer beheer terug te neem oor hul eie strate en woonbuurtes. AfriForum verseker dat jou grondwetlike én burgerregte op nasionale vlak erken en beskerm word.

Community Affairs Media statements | Media statements

AfriForum demands rejection of another tavern application in Hartswater

ByAfriForum 01/09/202501/09/2025

AfriForum lodged a formal objection on 28 August with the liquor and the gambling boards in the Northern Cape respectively against an application for a tavern liquor licence and the transfer of a gambling licence at Erf 998, 2 Gert Lubbe Street, Hartswater. The organisation demands that this application be rejected since this location is not ideal for a tavern, among other things.

According to Lize-Mari Smit, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Karoo, the approval of these licences will have severe negative consequences for the community. The site in question is located close to a main road, a hospital, a retirement home and the local taxi rank, which are all sensitive areas where such establishments would significantly increase the risks of crime, traffic dangers and noise.

“For the past 12 years, AfriForum has supported the Hartswater community. We cannot allow yet another tavern and gambling outlet that will fuel social decay, crime and poverty,” says Smit.

Furthermore, AfriForum emphasises in its objection that Hartswater already struggles with serious problems such as crime, drug abuse and violence; that the proximity to schools, churches and residential areas exposes children and young people to risky behaviour; that gambling often leads to financial devastation and exploitation of vulnerable residents; and that there is already an oversaturation of liquor stores in the town.

“The interests of Hartswater’s people – especially families, the elderly and the youth – must come first. We therefore urge the authorities to reject these licence applications,” concludes Smit.