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Kleinfontein

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Kleinfontein
Motto(s): 
Ons God, Ons Volk, Ons Land[1]
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceGauteng
MunicipalityCity of Tshwane
Established1992
Area
 • Total8.6 km2 (3.3 sq mi)
Population
 • Total650
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Websitehttp://www.kleinfontein.net/

Kleinfontein (Afrikaans for Small Fountain) is a new settlement near Pretoria, South Africa that was founded by Afrikaners as a "cultural village". It has only recently been developed and has a limited economy. It was founded by descendants of the original Voortrekkers or Boers who seek self-determination in an autonomous Volkstaat.[3] The criteria to live in Kleinfontein is based on cultural, language, traditional and religious beliefs and are people who associate themselves with the Voortrekker history, the Blood River Covenant and other historical facts relating to the struggle for independence for the Afrikaner people.[4]

As of 2012, it was one of South Africa's few remaining whites-only settlements.[5]

History

Kleinfontein's roots can be traced back to the gathering of thousands of Afrikaners in 1988 on a farm east of Pretoria to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Great Trek. The Afrikaners were surprised by the pristine 500-hectare farm only 30km from Pretoria, mostly because the Bittereinders who fought for the freedom of their people during the last few years of the Second Boer War. It is at this place where the Battle of Diamond Hill took place and the location of the historic cemetery for the casualties of those who fought against the British forces. In the later years, a memorial was erected above the cemetery for the Boers who, for the sake of their people, did not give up.

When the farm was put up for sale in 1992, two visionary pioneers took a loan to buy the farm for a core area for the Afrikaners in the heartland of the old Boer Republics. The two more Afrikaner patriots were immediately approached and the foursome began to involve shareholders in helping to repay the loan and to get the development off the ground.

The first years were years of struggle, but also the years in which the cream of the people threw their weight behind Kleinfontein. The instalment for the property needed to be paid every month and every cent was scraped together to ensure that it was paid and ensure that the farm remained in the hands of the Kleinfontein people. The early years were also the years in which the principles practically captured a people who want to be free - the basic principles of a people-oriented establishment of a homegrown legal system, of a people's democracy and above all homegrown labor. The pioneers at the time not only used their savings and pension money to invest in this dream, but also their time, resources and energy made available free of charge to Kleinfontein to encourage development.

In 1994, sufficient shareholders were recruited to service the loan and Kleinfontein could begin to provide services. The first two permanent houses built completely from the foundation to roof with homegrown labor and was completed in 1996. The two families became the first permanent residents of Kleinfontein. Kleinfontein then start growing at an unprecedented rate, further plots and holdings were planned, houses were all built; attracting both the young and the old. The first baby was born at Kleinfontein and the first marriage between two "Kleinfonteiners" took place. Radio Pretoria erected its broadcasting tower on Kleinfontein, sports fields were built, a homegrown school was established and a savings and credit cooperative had emerged. A community hall, care center and retirement homes followed as well as a shopping center with a ATM.

The population had grown so that today there are about 900 Afrikaners who operate in Kleinfontein during the day of which about 650 are residents and about 400 are shareholders. Kleinfontein's area has grown from the original 500 hectares to the current 860 ha. Today, Kleinfontein stretches just off the N4 highway beyond the Boschkop road.

Criticism

Keinfontein has been criticized for its policy of barring all Jews, Catholics, non-Afrikaan speakers, and blacks from settling in the community. Protests were held in May 2013 when the community denied the application of a black man to buy a home in the community.[6][7][8] The community has also been criticized by the South African government for engaging in practices that once led to a "divided South Africa."[9]

Residents of the community defend their practice by saying that they are defending their own separate cultural identity.[10][11]

Some residents of the community have also objected to the "restricted" nature of the community which prevents them from selling their home to the buyer of their choice.[12]

Geography

The town is located roughly half-way between Pretoria and Bronkhorstspruit. It lies just south of the N4, just west of the R515, a few kilometers south of Rayton, on the Magaliesberg mountain range at the historical terrain where the Battle of Diamond Hill (Template:Lang-af) took place during the Second Boer War.

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.kleinfontein.net/
  2. ^ http://www.kleinfontein.net/geskiedenis.aspx
  3. ^ Kleinfontein vir die Boer en Afrikaner, Selfdetermination, Independance Template:Af icon.
  4. ^ "Kleinfontein segregation not about race". News24. May 23, 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-23.
  5. ^ Trevor Neethling (November 14, 2012). "Gauteng to launch inquiry into whites-only Kleinfontein 'cultural village'". Business Day. Retrieved 2013-03-30.
  6. ^ [1]
  7. ^ [2]
  8. ^ [3]
  9. ^ [4]
  10. ^ [5]
  11. ^ [6]
  12. ^ [7]