Orania is a small town in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, where only Afrikaners – descendants of the Dutch settlers who speak Afrikaans – are allowed to live. It was founded in 1991 by a group of Afrikaner nationalists who wanted to preserve their culture and identity in the face of the end of apartheid and the rise of the black majority rule.
Orania is a controversial topic in South Africa, as it is seen by some as a symbol of racism, segregation, and white supremacy, and by others as a legitimate expression of self-determination, autonomy, and freedom.
The purpose of this blog post is to inform you about the process and criteria of how to apply to live in Orania, in case you are interested or curious about this unique and controversial town.
I will explain the legal status and rights of Orania as a private town within South Africa, describe the steps and requirements of applying for residency in Orania, discuss the challenges and risks of applying to live in Orania, and provide some examples of people who have applied to live in Orania.
Legal Status and Rights of Orania
Before learning how to apply to live in Orania, here’s where Orania stands legality wise.
Orania is not an independent state, but a private town that operates under the laws and constitution of South Africa. However, it has some degree of autonomy and self-governance, as it has its own municipal council, its own currency (the Ora), its own flag, and its own anthem.
Orania also has its own schools, churches, businesses, and farms, and provides its own services such as water, electricity, and security.
Orania’s right to exist as a private town is based on the principle of freedom of association, which is guaranteed by the South African constitution. According to this principle, people have the right to form and join groups of their own choice, as long as they do not infringe on the rights of others.
Orania argues that it does not discriminate against anyone, but simply selects its residents based on their cultural affinity and commitment to the Afrikaner way of life.
How to Apply to Live in Orania
If you want to apply to live in Orania, you must follow these steps and meet these requirements:
– Fill out an application form, which can be downloaded from the Orania website or obtained from the Orania office in Pretoria. The application form asks for your personal details, your motivation for wanting to live in Orania, your educational and professional background, and your financial situation.
– Pay a non-refundable application fee of R500.
– Undergo a background check, which involves verifying your identity, your criminal record, and your credit history. You also have to provide references from people who know you well and can vouch for your character and suitability for Orania.
– Attend an orientation session, which is a two-day visit to Orania, where you will meet some of the residents, learn about the history and vision of Orania, and participate in some of the activities and projects of the town. You will also have an interview with a panel of Orania representatives, who will assess your compatibility and readiness for Orania.
– Wait for the final decision, which can take up to six months. If you are accepted, you will receive a letter of approval and an invitation to move to Orania. If you are rejected, you will receive a letter of rejection and an explanation of the reasons for the decision.
Challenges and Risks of Applying to Live in Orania
After learning how to apply to live in Orania. You have to be prepared to face some challenges and risks, such as:
– Legal action: Orania’s legality and legitimacy are constantly challenged and questioned by various groups and individuals, who claim that Orania violates the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and human dignity.
Orania has faced several lawsuits and court cases over the years, and there is no guarantee that it will not face more in the future. If you apply to live in Orania, you have to be ready to defend and support Orania’s legal status and rights, and to deal with the possible consequences of losing them.
– Social stigma: Orania’s reputation and image are largely negative and hostile in the eyes of many South Africans and the international community, who view Orania as a relic of apartheid, a bastion of racism, and a threat to democracy.
If you apply to live in Orania, you have to be ready to face the criticism, condemnation, and ridicule of your family, friends, colleagues, and strangers, who may not understand or respect your choice. You also have to be ready to cut ties with some of the people and places that you used to know and love, as you may not be welcome or accepted by them anymore.
– Cultural isolation: Orania’s culture and lifestyle are very different and distinct from the rest of South Africa and the world, as it is based on the preservation and promotion of the Afrikaner heritage and identity. If you apply to live in Orania, you have to be ready to adapt and conform to the norms and values of Orania, and to renounce and reject any influences or elements that are contrary or incompatible with them. You also have to be ready to live in a homogeneous and isolated community, where you may not have much exposure or interaction with other cultures, languages, or perspectives.
Examples of People Who Have Applied to Live in Orania
Despite the challenges and risks of applying to live in Orania, there are some people who have done so and have moved to Orania. Here are some examples of them of people who learnt how to apply to live in Orania and made the move.
– Deshi Ngxanga: He is a former ANC official and a black South African, who applied to live in Orania in 2020. He said that he was fascinated by Orania’s self-reliance and independence, and that he wanted to learn from Orania’s model and apply it to his own community. He also said that he respected Orania’s right to exist, and that he did not see Orania as a threat or an enemy. He was accepted by Orania, and he moved to Orania with his wife and children. He works as a teacher and a farmer in Orania, and he says that he is happy and comfortable in Orania.
– Young Afrikaner professionals: They are a group of young Afrikaners who have university degrees and professional careers, who applied to live in Orania in 2021. They said that they were disillusioned and dissatisfied with the state of South Africa, and that they wanted to live in a place where they could be safe, free, and productive. They also said that they wanted to contribute to the development and growth of Orania, and that they wanted to be part of a community that shared their culture and identity. They were accepted by Orania, and they moved to Orania with their spouses and children. They work as engineers, accountants, lawyers, and doctors in Orania, and they say that they are proud and fulfilled in Orania.
Conclusion
In this blog post, I have explained the process and criteria of how to apply to live in Orania, a private town in South Africa where only Afrikaners are allowed to live. I have also discussed the challenges and risks of applying to live in Orania, and I have provided some examples of people who have applied to live in Orania. I hope that this blog post has given you some useful and interesting information about Orania, and that it has helped you to understand Orania better.
My opinion on Orania is that it is a complex and controversial topic, and that there is no simple or definitive answer to whether Orania is right or wrong, good or bad, legal or illegal.
I think that Orania has some positive and admirable aspects, such as its self-sufficiency, its democracy, and its preservation of its culture. But I also think that Orania has some negative and problematic aspects, such as its exclusivity, its isolation, and its rejection of diversity.
I think that Orania reflects the history and reality of South Africa, and that it is a challenge and an opportunity for South Africa to deal with its past and present issues, and to create a better and brighter future.
