By Akani Nkuna
In an attempt to find common ground, leaders from the African National Congress and the Afrikaner Leadership Network have met to discuss concerns.
Since the election of US President Donald Trump, tensions have been especially high in the country. Trump has offered refugee status to white Afrikaners, who are opposed to the new land expropriation law.
Earlier this years, leaders of Solidarity and AfriForum visited US government officials. And according to media reports, more than 30 applicants seeking refugee status over land, crime and perceived racism, have already been approved by the US.
The meeting focused on finding common ground on issues impacting South Africans, with both parties emphasising the importance of unity, collaboration and inclusive development.
“The respective parties held robust and frank discussions on various issues of national interest. Today’s dialogue is a clear indication that as South Africans, we have a collective responsibility to address the challenges that our nation faces,” ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said in a statement.
The Afrikaner Leadership Network comprises the Solidarity Movement, Solidarity, AfriForum, the Afrikanerbond and the Southern African Agri Initiative.
The meeting was facilitated by the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) which has held prior meetings with the ANC and the Afrikaner Leadership Network.
The network’s Theuns Eloff said the parties identified issues around which “we are committed to find South African solutions, in the interest of a diverse and united nation”.
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