As an American woman living in Saginaw, Michigan, USA, I thought that I should relay to the readers here that some friends of mine discovered Die Antwoord on the internet and their music has been a growing element in the local chatter here in Saginaw.

Some of their tracks were even played over the sound system at a local bar between bands last week.

I think that one reason their popularity is growing here in the USA is because to us, they represent the crossing of boundaries between culture and ethnicity and economic status, which is still a prevalent issue in most cities in our country. They also seem to represent the struggle that can be encountered and overcome when you want to create something that crosses those boundaries, and that you should strive on even in the face of anyone who questions or criticizes you for doing so.

In other words, make art that makes people stop and think and fuck the haters.

My city is a small working-class city with a rotten economy, plentiful blight, and clashing cultures. Similar to many other cities all across the world, no matter what country they are in.

Anything that encourages a person to see past all of that is pretty cool in my book.

I honestly do believe that a new thought process needs to be adopted if we are ever wanting to achieve a separate state for ourselves.

The common ground should not be based on skin colour or language; rather it should be based on morally grounded principals, mutual respect for each other, religious freedom and practice, sound economic principals and respect for law and order.

A “Volkstaat’ can only work and be accepted nationally and internationally if we as South Africans can argue that our culture – Afrikaans and English is under attack and that we as a people are wanting to rule ourselves.

Going back in History, Afrikaners have a moral obligation towards the “coloured” people who they created. Yet these very same people, who speak your language, adopted your culture, are part of the parcel that you wish to throw away. Why because they are not “white” enough? Yet they too suffer under the current government for not being “dark” enough. They are as Afrikaans as any white Afrikaner, if not more so!!

Forget the Anglo-Boer war. The “English” who caused the misery of the camps, are NOT the English who came here and settled this country as the Afrikaner did and who called this their home too!! During the 60’s, 70’s 80’s and early 90’s, many English speaking South Africans participated and died in the Angola and Rhodesia conflicts, fighting for South Africa, side by side with his Afrikaner brother. Let us not forget the English refugees from the then Rhodesia who suffered huge losses in the 80’s and who are still being persecuted to this very day. What makes them so different to the Afrikaner? Only the language they speak. They are farmers like your people, they pray to the same God that you do.

What should be created is an economically viable “Volkstaat” where the majority of the existing population is either White or Coloured.
Population exchanges can take place – in the demarcated area to allow “would –be- immigrants” from the remainder of SA to enter and those who wish to leave to do so.

On the website http://www.demarcation.org.za one is able to easily find large areas in this country where the majority of the population is either White or Coloured.
In this “Volkstaat” Afrikaans and English will be equal side-by-side.
A creation of a “Volkstaat” does in no way mean a reversal of the current constitutional state that we find ourselves in. Anyone who believes that a “Volkstaat” equals a quasi Apartheid system is wrong. We cannot go back, we can only look forward. No Country in the world would support our call if we dare to even think of an Apartheid form of government.

A new “Volkstaat” must be grounded in the principals of equality before God and before the law.
No racial segregation for those who choose to reside within her borders.
Equality and mutual respect for religious differences. Tolerance and respect must be shown towards those who wish to live within the borders. One cannot want tolerance and respect if one cannot give it.

From an economic point of view the “Volkstaat” has limited resources to offer. Yet, the one single resource which it can use, would be to create vast areas of Solar Powered farms to be 100% self sufficient in electricity. This could be used as a resource which one could export to the other South Africa and other Southern African countries. Water is a scare resource in this area, but the ocean could provide an excellent alternative to this. The Israelis have proven how de-salting sea water can provide sufficient water for human and agricultural use. The West coast is rich in fish and there are diamond and copper mines to assist with economic development for the area.

Provided that we can secure a stable environment, we can become the springboard for high tech development and export into Africa and the rest of the world. The human capital that we have places us decades ahead of any other African country.
Tourism will also play an important role in the economic development of the country.

The last situation that one wishes for is one of conflict. The Velvet revolution which occurred in the then Czechoslovakia would be the perfect resolution for those who wish to reside within this “Volkstaat”. A Yugoslav option is simply not acceptable as the damage and loss of life on both sides would simply be tremendous.

The guiding principals should be the freedom to live without fear or suppression. Equality before God and the Law
Equality of Language, Culture and Religious persuasion.
Respect towards the laws of the country allowing the return of a safe and secure environment for our children and people.
The work ethic to build a nation powerful and independent.