The City of Tshwane is stepping up its efforts against the Afrikaner-only settlement of Kleinfontein, located in the northeastern part of Gauteng.
This follows a High Court ruling in August 2024, which compelled the city to enforce property laws and rates that had long been ignored.
After decades of inactivity, the city is now required to take action, as reported by The Citizen.
The Origins of Kleinfontein: An Afrikaner-Only Community
Kleinfontein, situated in Rayton, emerged at the end of Apartheid in 1990.
Created by members of the Boere-Vryheidbeweging, the settlement was designed to be a home for Afrikaners, with the intention of forming an all-Afrikaner community.
Much like Orania in the Northern Cape, Kleinfontein aims to preserve Afrikaner heritage and culture.
The settlement spans over 900 hectares of land and accommodates about 1,500 residents across 600 homes.
However, despite its growth, the settlement was established without any official building plans or zoning approvals.
Moreover, while black laborers are allowed to enter the settlement for work purposes, Kleinfontein has remained exclusively for Afrikaners.
The Current State of Affairs in Kleinfontein
Kleinfontein is home to various attractions, including old-fashioned Afrikaner flags, wildlife, and picturesque sunsets, all visible through the Friends of Kleinfontein Facebook page.
At the entrance, statues of former Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd and former President Paul Kruger stand as symbols of the settlement’s heritage.
The settlement also boasts rugby fields, tennis courts, a large solar energy plant, and its own wastewater system and water supply.
However, despite these amenities, Kleinfontein’s properties have been categorized as agricultural land for the past 35 years.
This classification meant they were taxed at a rate a quarter of what residential properties are assessed.
Residents of Kleinfontein have also enjoyed exemption from property rates, with only a R178 monthly levy.
But all that is set to change.
The Impact of the New Property Classification
The City of Tshwane’s recent reevaluation has reclassified Kleinfontein’s properties, subjecting them to significantly higher rates due to non-compliance with town-planning laws.
The punitive rates, now seven times higher than the usual residential rates, could eventually lead to a monthly rates bill of more than R2 million for the community.
With the new classification, each home could be required to pay up to R3,500 per month, a sharp increase from the previous R178 levy.
The Response From Kleinfontein’s Residents
The residents of Kleinfontein have expressed their dissatisfaction with the city’s actions, arguing that they have not received any support or services from Tshwane and, as such, do not expect anything from the municipality.
The company running the settlement owns all the land, and members of the community are assigned plots to live on.
Despite this, there has been ongoing tension, with some disgruntled former residents allegedly urging the municipality to intervene.
Looking Ahead for Kleinfontein
As the situation continues to develop, it remains to be seen how Kleinfontein will navigate the changes imposed by the City of Tshwane.
With the new property rates set to hit residents hard, many are questioning the future of this Afrikaner-only settlement.
The outcome could have significant implications for similar communities across South Africa.
Are you in favor of the City of Tshwane’s actions against Kleinfontein, or do you think the settlement should remain untouched? Let us know your thoughts!