{"id":228254,"date":"2026-03-26T09:24:39","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T07:24:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/?p=228254"},"modified":"2026-04-09T12:53:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T10:53:07","slug":"afriforum-the-largest-civil-rights-organisation-in-the-country-celebrates-20-years-of-community-building","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/en\/afriforum-the-largest-civil-rights-organisation-in-the-country-celebrates-20-years-of-community-building\/","title":{"rendered":"AfriForum \u2013 the largest civil rights organisation in the country \u2013 celebrates 20 years of community building"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kallie-Kriel_26-March-2026_ENG.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soundbite: Kallie Kriel (English)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kallie-Kriel_26-Maart-2026_AFR.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soundbite: Kallie Kriel (Afrikaans)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>AfriForum, the organisation that has already become synonymous with the protection of the rights of Afrikaners, Afrikaans speakers and other minorities, as well as the promotion of community safety and community building, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Since the organisation was officially established on 26 March 2006, it has experienced unparalleled growth within the space of just two decades and has been built from a newcomer to the field of civil rights to the largest organisation of its kind in the country and one that benefits everyone in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"273\" src=\"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Rapport-oor-AfriForum-stigting_26-Maart-2006-768x273-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-228248\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Rapport-oor-AfriForum-stigting_26-Maart-2006-768x273-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Rapport-oor-AfriForum-stigting_26-Maart-2006-768x273-1-300x107.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The&nbsp;<em>Rapport<\/em>&nbsp;article that appeared on 26 March 2006 to announce the founding of AfriForum.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In March 2006, the new organisation had no members and only three employees. AfriForum has since grown to become the leading role player in the South African civil rights landscape, with approximately 300 000 members and 182 full-time employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the media statement about AfriForum\u2019s establishment issued on 26 March 2006, the organisation was established by the trade union Solidarity to provide a forum for the constructive activation of minorities to participate in public debate and actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kallie Kriel has been at the helm of AfriForum since its inception. In his 2006 announcement about the founding of AfriForum, he argued that the establishment of the civil rights organisation was necessary to counteract the apathy that prevailed at that stage, especially among Afrikaners. According to Kriel, this apathy had negative consequences for minorities, democratic principles and the country as a whole. \u201cThe negative consequences of withdrawal include the government being given free rein to co-opt the Constitution, to interpret it selectively, and not maintain a balance between the interests of the majority and minorities,\u201d Kriel said at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the past 20 years, AfriForum has already achieved success in its quest to reverse Afrikaner apathy. The organisation\u2019s substantial membership base, 165 active branches and 177 neighbourhood watches, nearly 10 000 volunteers, and vast support for campaigns against civil rights violations are tangible proof of this awakening that has been recorded among Afrikaners in particular since the organisation\u2019s inception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAfriForum\u2019s diverse successes in establishing a better present and future for our families, communities and descendants here at the southern tip of Africa are indicative of the practical feasibility of AfriForum\u2019s future-building plans,\u201d explains Kriel. \u201cThese successes are based on a do-it-yourself approach through which we, with the grace, strength and guidance we receive from above, build the future that we want for our children and communities,\u201d emphasises Kriel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regarding the future, Kriel makes it clear that AfriForum is ready to deploy its \u201csecret weapon\u201d as a community-building organisation even further, regardless of the failing and corrupt government\u2019s mismanagement. \u201cOur secret weapon is that each of us has received hands and a calling with which we can take control of the future of our communities in every area of \u200b\u200blife. With this mindset, AfriForum is equipped to tackle the next 20 years with confidence and ensure the further establishment of independent local communities to counter state decay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC04525-768x512-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-228250\" style=\"width:515px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC04525-768x512-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC04525-768x512-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Two of AfriForum\u2019s original employees \u2013 Kallie Kriel (CEO of AfriForum) and Alana Bailey (Head of Cultural Affairs at AfriForum) \u2013 and the rest of the AfriForum staff gathered this morning to celebrate the 20-year milestone.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>AfriForum will continue to stand up against injustice and decline and fight for justice. However, the organisation will also devote more of its time, energy and resources to being effective community builders. This strategy is already being implemented, according to Kriel, in terms of the organisation\u2019s community-building plan and focuses on strengthening and expanding AfriForum\u2019s self-help initiatives in local communities; the coordinated cooperation with other community institutions; and, where possible, securing cooperation agreements with the authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kriel concludes: \u201cWe look forward to the next 20 years and building a future for our families and descendants where we can live freely, safely and prosperously. Every community builder has a role to play, to get our hands dirty and truly build. You can do this through AfriForum, your child\u2019s school, your church or other community institutions. I invite you \u2013 come, let us build together!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>AfriForum, the organisation that has already become synonymous with the protection of the rights of Afrikaners, Afrikaans speakers and other&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":226,"featured_media":228257,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"AfriForum \u2013 the largest civil rights organisation in the country \u2013 celebrates 20 years of community building","_seopress_titles_desc":"AfriForum, the organisation that has already become synonymous with the protection of the rights of Afrikaners, Afrikaans speakers and other minorities, as well as the promotion of community safety and community building, celebrates its 20th anniversary today.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[810],"tags":[1534,1118,1535],"class_list":["post-228254","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-flash","tag-20-years","tag-afriforum-2","tag-community-building"],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":810,"label":"News flash"}],"post_tag":[{"value":1534,"label":"20 years"},{"value":1118,"label":"AfriForum"},{"value":1535,"label":"Community building"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC04516-1-1536x1027-1-1024x685.jpg",1024,685,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"AfriForum W\u00eareldwyd","author_link":"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/en\/author\/elri-vandermerwe\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":810,"name":"News flash","slug":"news-flash","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":810,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":800,"count":343,"filter":"raw","term_order":"0","cat_ID":810,"category_count":343,"category_description":"","cat_name":"News flash","category_nicename":"news-flash","category_parent":800}],"tag_info":[{"term_id":1534,"name":"20 years","slug":"20-years","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1534,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":1,"filter":"raw","term_order":"0"},{"term_id":1118,"name":"AfriForum","slug":"afriforum-2","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1118,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":25,"filter":"raw","term_order":"0"},{"term_id":1535,"name":"Community building","slug":"community-building","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1535,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":1,"filter":"raw","term_order":"0"}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC04516-1-1536x1027-1.jpg","fimg_url":"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC04516-1-1536x1027-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/228254","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/226"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=228254"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/228254\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":228282,"href":"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/228254\/revisions\/228282"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/228257"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=228254"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=228254"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=228254"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}