The Solidarity Movement’s institutions are engaged in many important projects. However, there are a view projects that are worth highlighting as they not only impact the Solidarity Movement, but have an impact on a national level in the country.
Our project highlights
The new Akademia campus
The real estate development company Kanton (one of the Movement’s institutions) launched a major project for the development of the Akademia campus in Pretoria as part of the Toekomsbouer (meaning “future builder”) campaign.
This R1.3 billion ($72.8 million) campus project is the largest development project in the history of the Afrikaans language and culture communities and represents a major historical turning point to ensure the sustainability of higher education in Afrikaans.
Read more about the project here: https://solidaritymovement.co.za/akademia-and-kanton-announced-monumental-campus-development/
Student residence for Sol-Tech
The first student residence for Sol-Tech, a private vocational training college, on the Sol-Tech campus in Pretoria will soon open its doors. This residence will make it possible for students from all over the country to study at this training college as they will have accommodation in Pretoria.
Solidarity and AfriForum’s pending court cases
AfriForum and Solidarity do not hesitate to challenge the government in court about the unconstitutional laws it implements to gain more power and control. Some of the imminent court cases include litigation against the National Health Insurance Act (https://solidaritymovement.co.za/solidaritys-fight-against-the-national-health-insurance-nhi-act/), and the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (BELA) that had recently been signed into law and aims, among other things, to change the face of mother-tongue education in South Africa.
Study funds for students who struggle financially
Solidarity Helping Hand manages a study fund trust known as the Helping Hand Study Trust (HHST) to ensure a future for young people who lack the funds to enrol for a study programme. The Study Trust is one of Solidarity’s proudest achievements. Not only does it empower students to study and to qualify themselves for a career, but it also breaks the poverty cycle and ensures a stable financial future for those who would not have had a future.
Promoting jobs
The current unemployment rate in South Africa is 32.9%. Most of the unemployed are young people who want to work but cannot find a job opportunity. Solidarity created a platform, known as Solidarity, for our community that connects employers and job seekers.
- Since its launch in September 2023, more than 5,800 job opportunities have been advertised on the platform.
- Approximately 500 vacancies are available on the platform on a monthly basis.
- 2,100 companies are registered on the platform.
- 70,000 users create a large network of employers and employees.
- Since the launch of the platform, 14,820 people have applied for vacancies advertised on the platform.
Not only is the platform a space to advertise job opportunities, but it also creates an online community where people get the chance to network and ask questions related to their specific fields.
Information and encouragement
The Solidarity Movement believes that the public should be informed about the latest developments in political decision-making and should also understand the direct impact those decisions can have on them and on the country. For this reason, the Solidarity Movement and its institutions regularly hold media conferences, issue research reports and use online platforms to explain the latest political events and engage with its members and the public to give them a transparent and objective view of developments and issues that affect them. Our communications always include a message of hope and practical advice that members of the community can follow to contribute towards addressing a problem or to make a difference in their community.
In 2022 around 700,000 people emigrated from South Africa. Their reasons for leaving the country include the high crime rate, the lack of job opportunities, or the desire to build a better future for their children. It is true that many Afrikaners sometimes feel like foreigners in their own country. Solidarity recently started a campaign called “#JyHoortHier”, translated as “You belong here” to encourage Afrikaners to stay in South Africa, to acknowledge their heritage and roots in the country and to take ownership to create a better future for themselves and future generations.
Our success stories
Every small victory is a success story. We are proud of our institutions’ hard work and efforts to make a difference so that our people can live freely, safely and prosperously in this country. A few of our recent success stories follow below:
- Solidarity won three cases in the Labour Court on behalf of Solidarity members who had been discriminated against in the workplace due their race.
- Akademia announced the opening of a campus in the Western Cape.
- AfriForum established the first private fire department in Bloemfontein as the local government failed to deliver these services to the community.
- Sol-Tech’s IT qualification received an award as best new programme at the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA’s) 2023 Africa Awards Ceremony.
- Solidarity submitted an economic recovery strategy to the National Treasury.
- AfriForum’s anti-bullying campaign engaged with thousands of learners.
- Akademia rolled out its second honours programme: Media and Communications.
- Sol-Tech rolled out a new programme on early childhood development.
- Thousands of potholes have been repaired in more than 20 towns around South Africa.
- The Solidarity Movement established the Afrikaner Foundation to raise funds for future projects.
Each year we are once again amazed by what can be achieved when a community stand together to make a difference. These projects and success stories are not because of a big organization’s efforts, but because of every individual who contributed in a big or small way.
