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.

AfriForum emergency fund helps Kransberg community rebuild main road after heavy rain

AfriForum provided support to the Kransberg community in the Thabazimbi district through its emergency fund after heavy rainfall made their main road impassable in March, effectively cutting the community off from the outside world.

The continuous rain caused serious damage to the existing road infrastructure, which had deteriorated over the years due to poor maintenance and inadequate drainage. Water flowing down the mountain effectively turned the road into a muddy riverbed with sinkholes and soft spots that made it impossible for ordinary vehicles to use the road. Only certain four-wheel drive vehicles were able to pass with great difficulty, while many vehicles were stuck.

This situation had a direct impact on the community’s daily life, as residents were unable to reach their workplaces and access to essential services, food, animal feed and medical supplies was severely hampered.

With financial support from AfriForum’s emergency fund, a repair project could be quickly launched. The project involved, among other things, the use of heavy machinery, trucks and the loading of large quantities of gravel to restore the road’s bearing capacity and improve stability. In total, more than 200 cubic metres of gravel were used to rehabilitate a critical section of the road. The project took place from 23 to 25 March.

The community itself also played an active role by providing labour and opening drainage channels to prevent further damage. This collaboration resulted in a section of the road being made usable again, restoring essential access for residents.

“The reality is that communities are increasingly reliant on themselves. National Disaster Management no longer declares disasters, but is only classified as such, which means that in many cases essential funds are no longer made available for the repair of critical infrastructure. This leaves communities vulnerable and without support in times of crisis. AfriForum’s emergency fund therefore plays an indispensable role in intervening quickly and practically where the state is no longer able or willing. We urgently appeal to the public to support AfriForum’s emergency fund so that we can continue to help communities get back on their feet,” says Tarien Cooks, AfriForum’s Disaster Management Specialist.

According to Hendrik Kotze, AfriForum’s Provincial Coordinator in Limpopo, the Kransberg project is also proof of what can be achieved when communities and organisations work together to implement practical solutions.

The Kransberg community expressed their sincere gratitude to AfriForum for the organisation’s rapid response and willingness to help in a time of great need.