Afrikaners are often portrayed in Europe as racists and xenophobes, in contrast to Nelson Mandela's myth of a tolerant and inclusive nation. This subject, which is all too rarely addressed, is almost systematically treated in a one-sided, anti-white perspective. Yet figures like Jaco Kleynhans deserve to be highlighted. It is precisely for this reason that Voxeuropa presents him. Head of international relations for “Solidariteit”. Solidariteit is a South African movement based on Christian Democratic and community principles, primarily focused on defending workers' rights, promoting education, and community development. Jaco defends with unshakeable determination the Christian and Western values that have shaped his people - a people born of European pioneers, adventurers and builders who traveled the world to explore and build. At Vox Europa, we want to give a voice to Europeans, whether they still live on the Old Continent or are their dispersed heirs, who perpetuate the boldness and re
silience of their ancestors. Jaco Kleynhans embodies this history. Through exclusive interviews, we bring to light realities too often ignored - issues which, though geographically distant, resonate with our identity and our struggles. Here is a man, and a cause, that it is essential to discover.
• Jaco, for those who don't know you yet, can you tell us who you are, where you're from and what drove you to become so strongly committed to defending Afrikaners ?
Being an Afrikaner is a complex life. We are a people born at the southern tip of Africa from Dutch farmers, German Protestants and French Huguenots. Yet we are neither Dutch, German nor French. We are Afrikaners with our own language Afrikaans and our own, unique culture and traditions that developed at the southern tip of Africa. Unlike other white peoples in Africa, who have largely left the continent since the end of colonialism, we cannot go anywhere, because we only have one home: South Africa.
Yet Afrikaners are Westerners. We believe strongly in Western civilization and our bond with it is inseparable. These are also the values with which I grew up in a conservative home. After the political change in South Africa in 1994, and Afrikaners' total loss of power and influence, it was already clear to me as a young boy that Afrikaners were going to have to consolidate, work together and work smart to survive.
I grew up in the Western Cape, right in the south of South Africa on a dairy farm, a farm that has been farmed by my family since the 1740s. I grew up with Western values such as honesty, hard work and a calling and that is why I see it as my task and calling today to fight for my people.
• What gives you the strength to keep fighting, even when things seem to be going from bad to worse in South Africa?
Life in South Africa is becoming increasingly difficult for Afrikaners. The extent of racial discrimination, violent crimes, such as brutal murders of farmers, hate speech and the attack on our culture, language, education and our institutions such as our monuments, schools and community organisations is very bad. One has to admit it. About 20% of Afrikaners have already left South Africa. For most of us, it is not an option. We are going to stay here and create a future here precisely because we have developed an unbreakable bond with this land and soil over generations. We still have a calling to survive in a dangerous country that is anti-Western, anti-white and anti-Afrikaner, but we remain hopeful.
• What defines the Afrikaner essence?
Afrikanerhood is a unique combination of Western culture, faith and values that have developed into a deep ability to survive in Africa. Afrikaners are therefore unique adapted to Africa and are some of the bravest people I know. Afrikaners are obsessed with family, community, but also our place – our land and our love for our environment make us a very unique people. However, our Western origins also make us a daily target.
• How would you describe the current political situation in South Africa, especially for Afrikaners, with an ANC government that seems increasingly hostile to Western values?"
There is a sharp increase in hate speech, racism and generally anti-Western rhetoric. This makes life increasingly uncertain and dangerous. South Africa is slowly but surely becoming a failed state. The government is failing in its basic functions such as safety, infrastructure maintenance, education and the economy. This creates great risks but also opportunities for Afrikaners to create new alternatives for our people.
• You've often denounced the ANC as a corrupt, anti-Western government. What do you see as the most glaring examples of their failure to govern South Africa for the benefit of all its citizens?
The ANC is extremely corrupt and only interested in enriching a small black elite. Unemployment among black South Africans has doubled in the past twenty years. Of the 60 million people in South Africa, seven million pay tax while 28 million are dependent is from social grants paid monthly by the state. South Africa has the second or third highest murder rate in the world annually. South Africa has the highest rape rate in the world. It is more dangerous for a white farmer on a farm in South Africa than for a citizen of Damascus in Syria or Baghdad in Iraq.
South Africa's economy is in crisis. Unemployment is among the highest in the world and the state is struggling to pay its debts, pay welfare grants and maintain basic functions. The ANC as a government has completely failed.
• What do you see as the greatest challenges but also opportunities for your country in the years ahead?"
For Afrikaners, our biggest crises are our safety and economic opportunities. There are 142 laws in South Africa that legalize racial discrimination. Young whites in South Africa struggle to access university and jobs.
• South Africa is close to the BRICS, notably Russia and China under the ANC. As an Afrikaner, how do you see Russia's role, particularly in the Ukraine conflict, and does it worry you for your country's future?
The ANC government uses its relationship with Russia, Iran and China as a stick to beat the West. Out Ultimately, these relationships are always there to benefit the ANC leaders financially and to ensure greater influence for these countries in Africa. This could pose major risks in the future.
• As Solidarity's head of international relations, what role do you play in making the Afrikaner voice heard and countering policies you deem unjust?
It is my goal to develop a large international network for Afrikaners. We recently managed to get the American president to recognize Afrikaners and his administration has now repeatedly spoken out in favor of Afrikaners. For a defenseless minority, international alliances, good information and media reports about what is happening in South Africa and practical support for the Afrikaner are increasingly important.
• You recently traveled to the United States to raise awareness of South Africa's problems among the Trump administration. Do you think American conservatives can help the situation of Afrikaners? How can they help?
Yes, American conservatives have a natural feeling of alliance with Afrikaners and are outspoken in favor of our rights. We expect political pressure, concrete steps by the Trump administration and also eventually financial support from the Americans.
• If you could speak directly to European leaders, what would you ask them to do to support people like you in South Africa?"
First of all, it is essential that Europeans take their blinders off about what is happening in South Africa. South Africa is not the liberal, pro-Western democracy that Europeans dreamed of in the 1990s. Europe must take a stand against the ANC government's foreign and domestic policies and actively begin to recognise the right of Afrikaners to a free, secure and prosperous existence in South Africa.
• Can we draw a parallel between what Afrikaners have been experiencing for several decades and what Europeans are starting to experience more and more because of African immigration?
Without a doubt, yes. Afrikaners lost our towns, cities and ultimately our country due to mass immigration from traditional black tribal areas, but also from the rest of Africa. A hundred years ago, most Afrikaner settlements were places with a large Afrikaner majority. Today, we are everywhere in South Africa is a minority. This is what Europe is facing if mass immigration is not stopped and mass deportations are not introduced.
• Finally, Jaco, I work for Vox Europa, a media outlet that aims to be an alternative voice for conservatives in Europe. What do you think of our approach, and do you see any common ground between our struggle and yours?"
There are strong parallels. We as Afrikaners have also been indoctrinated by left-wing mainstream media for decades. Today, more and more alternative media are emerging. It is needed everywhere in the Western world now more than ever.
Thank you Jaco !
Voxeuropa Herald is an initiative that shares the voices shaping Europe today: elected officials, essayists, philosophers, activists, artists and influencers. These portraits are collective responses to the crises shaking our Europe. Faced with the major upheavals of our times, Voxeuropa Herald gives a voice to those who, throughout Europe, share solutions and visions for the future. The message is clear : European realities call for European responses.
🔹 Follow Voxeuropa on : X | Instagram | Telegram | TikTok
🔹 Share, comment, and debate — ideas gain power when they circulate.