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.

Neighbourhood watches use more than 20 000 litres of water to extinguish Lowveld fires

ByAfriForum 03/09/202503/09/2025

The AfriForum neighbourhood watches in Nelspruit and White River have played an active role in combating various veld and structural fires in the Lowveld over the past two weeks. The neighbourhood watches used a total of more than 20 000 litres of water to extinguish these fires.

The fires can largely be attributed to the recent heat wave and dry winds. Several communities would have suffered huge losses if it were not for the quick action of AfriForum’s neighbourhood watch members, other organisations and farmers.

The neighbourhood watch members responded at short notice with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment and helped to extinguish fires in the following areas: Alkmaar, Cairn, Brondal, the Witrivier Rugby Club and in the area of Chimp Eden.

Assistance was also provided where a lapa and a storehouse burned down. Fires were also extinguished at earthmoving machinery.

AfriForum expresses its appreciation to LEFPA, Lowveld Fire Response, as well as the many farmers and community members who contributed – whether it was with physical firefighting, the delivery of fuel, water or other essential supplies. This collaboration highlights the power of communities joining hands and taking responsibility where the risks are great.

“We are proud of the way in which our neighbourhood watches acted together with the broader community. These events show once again that we cannot rely on the authorities to protect us from fires, but that we can achieve a lot through community cooperation,” says Theo Bezuidenhout, chairperson of AfriForum’s White River branch.

AfriForum’s Nelspruit and White River branches are calling on communities to get involved, as the success of these initiatives depends on people offering their time and equipment to help others.