Image via Flickr: South African Tourism
Image via Flickr: South African Tourism
A small political movement may have ended up causing a large row online this week, when the Progress group received hundreds of responses to their survey about Western Cape independence. The organisers – who stress that they don’t support the idea of the province becoming its own country – even drew political ire.
Phumzile van Damme attacks ‘regressive’ survey
Shadow communications minister Phumzile van Damme stepped into the debate, and comprehensively expressed her viewpoint. The MP said in no uncertain terms that she rejects the idea of independence for any region of South Africa, dismissing the suggestion as ‘ridiculous claptrap’.
“That this is something that requires debate is astounding. The Western Cape is part of South Africa. And always will be. And always should be. If you don’t want to live in South Africa, well don’t live in South Africa. It is ridiculous, divisive, regressive, exceptionalist, nationalist claptrap.”
Could the Western Cape secede from South Africa?
Of course, this isn’t the first time this issue has surfaced. There have been political movements that have stood solely on the grounds of making the Western Cape a new country, completely separate from South Africa. But as van Damme highlights, the appetite for secession doesn’t seem to be strong enough.
The Cape Party won 0.45% of the vote in 2019. The Western Cape doesn’t want it. Principle over 0.45% of the vote every day and any day of the week. https://t.co/4RmT99UTj2
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) June 15, 2020
Western Cape independence survey stirs the pot
The separation of a province from South Africa would prove to be a logistical nightmare. That hasn’t stopped organisations like The Cape Party butchering watermelons on a beach to make their points heard, though. If that last sentence was alien to you, then you’re in for something of a treat here…
The contentious survey remains open for submissions, as of Monday evening.
We have put together a survey about the idea of a new, independent state in the Western Cape.
— Progress SA ?? (@ProgressRSA) June 14, 2020
Please fill it in and pass it on to others. RT for awareness. https://t.co/bh9qEvJgq7
