Questions

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Questions?

Is this legal?

It is legal to peacefully campaign for independence.

In 2010 both the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) confirmed it was not a crime to pursue secession, declaring that it was a ‘political matter’. In addition to this, the Cape Party have been registered with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) since 2007, openly campaigning for an independent Cape during which time they have legally contested both national and provincial elections without challenge or incident.

Far too much time, both by the independence movement itself and its detractors, has been devoted to debating the finer points of law, most of it by people with no legal background. Almost all laws are nuanced and dependent upon the prevailing circumstances and Cape independence (secession) is no exception.

There are multiple routes to achieve independence, including international law, constitutional law, the electoral system and political negotiation, but all of them are premised upon the most crucial legal requirement, moral authority obtained by the democratic wishes of the majority.

Ultimately the starting point to obtain independence is 50% +1 of Cape citizens declaring, whether in elections, signed petitions, mandates or verified polling data, that they would rather govern themselves as an independent nation than be governed from Pretoria by a government they never elected.

Once the people of the Cape have democratically expressed their wishes, it will be for the lawyers and the political negotiators to work out the details with the South African government or, in the unlikely event of this institution refusing to respect democracy, via the United Nations as international law dictates.

Is an independent Cape financially viable?

An independent Cape is, without doubt, financially viable.

Cape of Good Hope would instantly be better off. The Western Cape (along with Gauteng) currently subsidises the rest of South Africa and is a net contributor to the national South African fiscus.

11.2% of South Africa’s population lives in the Western Cape, but the province produces 13.9% of South Africa’s GDP. In return it is allocated only 10.1% of the provincial budget.

Even assuming that the new Cape government is no more efficient that the current South African government, our ‘provincial budget’ would increase by 38% overnight.

This does not factor in that an estimated R1.5trn trillion has been stolen by the South African political elite, R0.2 trillion of which came from the Western Cape, a sum equivalent to our entire economic output for 6 months.

Will it ever happen?

The simple answer to this question is: it will, if we want it to.

Gaining independence (secession) in principle is not a complicated process. Once the majority clearly demonstrate their wish to govern themselves, it simply becomes a matter of working out the details.

Anyone who has discussed the idea of independence will have been confronted with a litany of apparently insurmountable obstacles why it can’t happen. The truth is, WE are the only real obstacle between us and independence.

If we allow others to convince us that it couldn’t or shouldn’t happen and remain silent, independence will remain a dream. If we stand up and claim our right to a better future for us all, independence becomes inevitable.

Will the ANC allow independence?

The major political parties of South Africa have very little to say publicly about independence. For their own reasons, it is a genie they would much rather remain in the bottle because, were that genie ever to get out…

The ANC will certainly not like independence and will likely do all they can to discourage it, but ultimately they cannot and will not prevent it if the people of the Cape have clearly indicated their democratic wish to be independent.

There are several reasons to confidently say this:

The ANC itself is a liberation movement whose entire purpose was to establish government mandated by the democratic majority, a goal they achieved to great global acclaim and largely as a result of almost universal international support. It is almost inconceivable that, in the final reckoning, were the people of the Cape to express their desire to govern themselves, the ANC would defy international law and enforce minority rule – the very thing they fought for a century so publically against.

The ANC strongly supported South Sudan’s recent secession, establishing an uncomfortable precedent for them with regard to Cape independence.

The ANC is a signatory to, and member of, several organisations and their statutes which establish self determination as a right.

The ANC signed an accord on Afrikaner self determination in 1994, which included the right in the constitution, and affirmed the right with the Moosa declaration in 1996.

Taking these things together, it is hard to imagine that even the ANC would be so brazen as to publicly renounce their own words and history, knowing the inevitable backlash it would invoke from the international community.

Frequently Asked Questions
Start Here! Overview of the Secession Process
  • Stop talking - just do it!

    It's a long process, have a look at the graphic above. Look at our Polling Results - we have enough support, but we need a referendum. Please spread the word and help grow the movement. Do these things: How To Support Cape Independence
  • What about the border and citizenship?

    The existing borders of the Western Cape will form the starting point. Read more here.
  • Is this the same as CapeXit or Cape Party?

    One movement, many groups. The CIAG collaborates on projects with CapeXit and we support all political parties that support Cape Independence, including the Cape Party and VF+.
  • Let's rather fix South Africa?

    Consider this: if you remove Western Cape voters from the national voting statistics you will see that the voting trend in favour of the ANC and the EFF combined is upward not downward, reaching an all-time high in 2019 at 73.1% of the vote. The rest of SA has the government it wants - we can't change that. Now please watch this video: Should the Cape Leave South Africa?
  • I don't like the flag?

    Please read this post: The Cape Independence Flag and Why We Chose It
  • Who can vote in the referendum?

    Citizens of the Western Cape, who have ideally been registered voters in the Western Cape for at least two election cycles, but the details will need to be confirmed when the referendum is announced.
  • Is this economically viable?

    Yes, read the longer answer above - top of this page. Also look at this article from Stats SA: If South Africa’s provinces were independent states
  • What values and principles should a free and independent Cape adopt?

    1. Non racialism
    2. Economic prudence
    3. Law and order
    4. Meritocracy and pragmatism
    5. Strong ethical governance
    6. Compassion and empathy

    Watch this video.
  • Is this a movement for 'white' people?

    No, our group is committed to democratically, lawfully and peacefully obtaining independence for the collective peoples of the (Western) Cape. You can look at our Polling Results to see this movement has a broad support base.
  • How do I support the movement - where can I register my support?

    Have a look at this guide: How To Support Cape Independence
  • How are you going to protect your border?

    First note that SA's border is not protected at the moment, so things can only improve. This problem is not unique to the Western Cape and SA, many other countries have border control problems. When our new government is elected, they will have to decide how strict the border control policy will be and what resources and finances to allocate to border control.
  • More: Will we have the death penalty? Will we get a new currency? Will we drive on the left side of the road? What will the new flag look like? etc.

    We see hundreds of questions like these. We are not a political party. We have no intention to govern. Questions like these will be answered by the citizens of a free Cape via the government they elect.