Boeremag constitution 'not new'

2002-11-27 21:34

Sonja Carstens

Pretoria - The Boeremag's constitution for a Volkstaat (Boer State) is nothing new, says Anton Meyer, SC, former chief legal advisor for parliament.

"It is the age-old yearning for a separate, independent government for the Boer nation which has been the ideal since the time of the Voortrekkers."

"It seems a lot of work has gone into writing the Volkstaat constitution. Similar concepts did the rounds before the 1994 elections, and this could be and adaptation thereof." It includes elements of those of the former Boer republics, the 1961 constitution and the present constitution.

But, he says, it is impractical and farfetched.

"Where would such a Volkstaat be situated, and who would be the citizens? It is not clear where the borders of such a state would be."

"International law makes provision for several ways in which a state can get sovereignty. Annexation - similar to a coup d'etat - and secession are two options."

The constitution liberally makes provision for human rights, but excludes social-economic rights such as housing.

The constitution also does not allow discrimination on the grounds of gender, origin, language or political affiliation, but markedly excludes race.

Such a Volkstaat is completely irreconcilable with the country's present constitution.

A majority vote of 75% is needed to change the present constitution, and the same would apply to make provision for the aims of a Volkstaat.

Above all, the ANC has "never indicated that it would consider the idea of an independent Volkstaat within the country".

- Beeld