Siphokazi Vuso|Published
The EFF in the Western Cape has accused organisers of a Cape Town mayoral dialogue of concealing Cape Forum's involvement, alleging the event was used to advance what it described as a “racist, white supremacist and pro-apartheid agenda”.
The party defended its decision to walk out of the Beyond the Ballot: Mayoral Civic and Dialogue, hosted by Cape Flats Stories and The Bridge SA Movement at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) on Sunday.
The dialogue was intended to address housing, land restitution, gender-based violence, gang violence and spatial inequality.
EFF objects to Cape Forum material
EFF provincial chairperson Unathi Ntame said the party's provincial treasurer, Aishah Cassiem, and other members walked out because they refused to legitimise what the party described as a platform advancing a racist, white supremacist and pro-apartheid agenda.
“The organisers concealed AfriForum/Cape Forum's involvement. When confronted, they claimed a distinction that does not exist,” Ntame said.
He also objected to Cape Forum material promoting “growing federalism” on notepads distributed at the event.
“Cape Forum's materials promote 'growing federalism,' and the slogan 'plaas die Kaap se toekoms in Kaapse hande': [place the Cape's future in Cape hands], also appeared on notepads distributed at the UWC meeting,” he said.
Ntame accused the DA of maintaining an association with the organisations.
“The DA’s role must be stated plainly. While DA leaders have publicly said they ‘do not believe’ in full Western Cape independence and ‘will not go that route’, the party has maintained a documented pattern of association with these entities,” he said.
“Cape independence organisations themselves note that a majority of their supporters historically vote DA and continue to lobby the DA to call a referendum on independence, precisely because of the DA’s federalist and devolution agenda,” he added.
Dialogue organisers reject allegations
Tarryn-Lee Bell, founder and director of The Bridge SA Movement, said she had acknowledged and apologised for an oversight involving Cape Forum-branded stationery.
Bell said the organisers had offered to accommodate the EFF's concerns, including removing a Cape Forum banner from the foyer.
She rejected claims that the organisers were advancing a racist agenda and challenged the EFF to substantiate its allegations.
“There was no attempt to conceal this information. When they indicated that they would not participate, we respected their decision. Despite indicating their intention to withdraw, they remained at the venue. There was mobilisation outside the auditorium, and concerns were raised regarding alleged profanity directed at administrative staff,” she said.
“The representatives subsequently returned to the auditorium, remained while the civic voices made their contributions, and then publicly walked out. This raises a legitimate question: If the decision to withdraw had already been made, what purpose did returning to the auditorium serve?
“A democratic right to protest does not place political conduct beyond scrutiny. I do not believe that disruption or disrespect towards administrative personnel should be celebrated as revolutionary action,” Bell said.
Cape Forum defends its involvement
AfriForum referred questions to Cape Forum.
Cape Forum executive chairperson Heindrich Wyngaard defended the organisation's involvement, saying its association with AfriForum had been transparent since Cape Forum's establishment in 2022.
“We’re playing a watchdog role about party politics, but we are not associated with any political party, and we have no intention to become involved in party politics,” Wyngaard said.
He said Cape Forum supported the dialogue because communities deserved access to politicians seeking their votes.
“We supported this event to showcase Cape Forum's commitment to free speech, and the importance of giving communities access to politicians and an opportunity for them to engage with these politicians who are vying for their votes on the 4th of November,” he said.
Wyngaard said the EFF's decision to walk out showed disregard for those who attended and illustrated the kind of leadership that creates and causes chaos in councils.
EFF demands public apology
Cassiem has called for a public apology from the dialogue organisers.
“We expect a public apology for the deception and the profanity we endured from participants on the panel, for refusing to be part of the farcical event. The EFF will never legitimise the divisive Cape Forum by participating in an event they sponsor,” she said.