The recent release of minutes from a closed-door meeting between the ANC and leaders from the Afrikaner community has reignited debate over race relations in South Africa, with critics accusing both sides of deepening divisions rather than building bridges.
The meeting, held earlier this year but only now made public, brought together ANC representatives and members of groups including AfriForum and Solidarity. The agenda included discussions on land reform, language rights in education, crime, and concerns over what Afrikaner representatives described as “cultural marginalisation”.
According to the minutes, Afrikaner leaders expressed alarm over the implementation of the Expropriation Bill, which they claim threatens property rights and disproportionately targets white landowners.
They also raised objections to the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill, arguing that it undermines Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in schools and could erode the autonomy of historically Afrikaans institutions.
In response, ANC officials emphasised the importance of redressing historical injustices and promoting inclusivity in education and land ownership. They reiterated that both the Expropriation and BELA bills are constitutional measures aimed at fostering equity across racial lines.“The ANC reaffirms its commitment to a non-racial, united South Africa,” the minutes quote a senior ANC figure as saying.
''But we must also confront the economic and spatial legacies of apartheid, which continue to disadvantage millions.”
However, the tone of the discussions has stirred controversy, with some community groups accusing the ANC of being dismissive of Afrikaner concerns, and others criticising Afrikaner leaders for what they see as attempts to protect privilege under the guise of cultural preservation.
Political analyst Sipho Madlala said the release of the minutes exposes the deep mistrust that still exists between historically white communities and the ruling party.
“There is a fundamental disagreement not just about policy, but about the meaning of justice in a post-apartheid society,” he said.
Social media reaction to the release has also been swift, with hashtags like #RaceRelations and #AfrikanerEngagement trending over the weekend.
Some users accused the ANC of “caving in to white fears,” while others slammed AfriForum for pushing a “separatist agenda.”
In a statement following the release, AfriForum spokesperson Ernst Roets defended the group’s participation in the meeting, saying they were advocating for the constitutional rights of their community.
“We do not oppose redress, but we will oppose policies that discriminate based on race, no matter the justification,” he said.
Meanwhile, ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the party welcomed dialogue but would not compromise on its mandate to transform society.
“We will continue to engage all sectors of society — but transformation is not negotiable,” she said. As the country heads toward the next general election, analysts warn that racial identity politics are once again becoming a central theme.
The challenge, many agree, is whether such engagements can move beyond suspicion and towards a shared national vision.
For now, the ANC-AfriForum meeting serves as a stark reminder of the lingering divides in South Africa’s democracy — and the work still needed to heal them.