South Africa’s Vryheidsfront- Freedom Front Party (FF)

“What is the Freedom Front ideology?”

          The Freedom Front seeks to “liberate” all white Afrikaners forced to live in a state controlled by Black Africans. “Irrevocably committed to the protection and advancement of Afrikaner interests”, it appeals to its constituents by claiming that as a minority community, Afrikaners must present a united ‘front’ if they are to execute their collective agenda.eq1  The Freedom Front caters to the taste of Afrikaners in much the same way that the Democratic party served the interests of the planter class in America’s antebellum South.  It promises the return to power and control of ruling elite that was displaced as a result of social upheaval.

“What does the party’s political program consist of?” 

          The Freedom Front Party stands to protect the rights of Afrikaners whom they believe are increasingly becoming the victims of targeted crime and injustice.eq2 Earning nine seats in the National Assembly as a result of the 1994 elections, Freedom Front was able to win a concession— in Section 235 of the Constitution— from the ANC.eq3  Still, the party regards the South African Constitution as “fundamentally defective,” as it is does not meet the “modern interpretation of self-determination according to international law” that Freedom Front subscribes to.eq4   Recently, the National Assembly passed The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities Bill.  As a result of this legislation a council will be established to advise the President on how to protect the rights of minority communities. eq5  However, Freedom Front sees this act as unresponsive to its demands. eq6

The Freedom Front is opposed to the “one man, one vote” system.eq7  They believe that it is unfair, and that as a minority group, Afrikaners will not be able to acquire the amount of political control necessary to implement their programs.eq8  Specifically, Freedom Front feels that under the current system it will not be able to ensure the preservation of Afrikaner culture, language (Afrikaans), or the safety, security, religious freedom of the Afrikaner.^eq9

Freedom Front is seeking territorial autonomy, which would allow Afrikaners to be free of Black African rule and live on land governed only by their authority.eq10   Territorial autonomy will also allow the white planter class to usurp control of the South African economy, as the area of the Northern Cape that they desire to mark “Afrikaner Homeland” is a coastal area with the potential to become rich with agricultural capital.eq11 eq12  It has already been established as an Afrikaner enclave, in which Blacks are not welcome, even as laborers.eq13  Freedom Front has vowed to officially prohibit foreign labor if they are granted autonomy.eq14  Only Afrikaners would be able to profit from the region’s industry.  

“Is the Freedom Front an opposition party?”

           Yes, the Freedom Front is definitely to be considered a right-wing opposition party.  It seeks to advance the agenda of a small segment of the population whose privilege and power has been effectively challenged by the post-apartheid government in South Africa.  In fact, when the Freedom Front’s founder, Constand Viljoen resigned from the party and South African politics altogether in March of 2001, he citied his opposition to South Africa’s burgeoning new form of democracy as the reason.eq15  Hein Mentz, the party’s longest serving provincial leader, offered a similar explanation when he unexpectedly left office earlier this year.eq16 

“What major social groupings are aligned with Freedom Front?”

          A party hinged on racial and ethnic solidarity, the constituency of Freedom Front is largely comprised of Afrikaners (descendants of the Dutch and French Huguenots who settled in southern Africa). Afrikaners are commonly referred to as Boers, which means "farmer" in Afrikaans (the language created by their ancestors).   This is fitting since most are of the planter class or in other ways related to the agricultural industry in South Africa. 

Now headed by Dr. Pieter Mulder, Freedom Front evolved from the Afrikaner Volksfront, founded in 1993 by Constand Viljoen— former General/Chief of both the South African Defense Force and the South African Army.eq17 The enforcement arm of the Apartheid government, the South African Defense Force is responsible for the murder and torture of countless Black South Africans during the Apartheid Era.eq18 Most of the violent opposition to the new government is coming from groups with direct links to the Defense Force.eq19 Boeremag (“Boer Power”) is one such radical opposition force that aligns itself closely with the ideals of Freedom Front.eq20

While the Freedom Front and its leaders seek to downplay the significance of factions like Boeremag, analysts delineate a link between them and right wing political parties such as Freedom Front.eq21   Thus hinting at an unspoken alliance between members of these groups to advance a collective agenda that poses a formidable threat to peace, stability and widespread prosperity in South Africa.eq22 eq23   The recent uncovering of a methodically calculated right-wing plot to overthrow the government has lent credence to this theory.eq24