28/11/2025
BOERNATION HERITAGE FOUNDATION PUBLIC STATEMENT
Boernation Heritage Foundation – Official Public Statement
Subject: The Need for a Modernised Rural-Protection System in South Africa
The Boernation Heritage Foundation expresses deep concern regarding the ongoing crisis of rural violence and farm attacks in South Africa, as well as the impact this has on national stability, food security, investor confidence, and international diplomatic relations — particularly with the United States.
We urge President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Government of South Africa to give serious consideration to reinstating a modern, constitutional, and community-based version of the former Commando System.
Historically, the Commandos provided rapid local response, intimate knowledge of rural environments, and effective protection where standard policing has consistently fallen short.
A modernised structure — fully regulated, inclusive, and aligned with constitutional principles — would create employment, improve safety, and strengthen rural resilience.
South Africa’s pattern of farm attacks is characterised by extreme, disproportionate violence.
White farm owners are disproportionately targeted in the most severe cases involving torture, prolonged assault, and murder.
Farm workers of all racial backgrounds also suffer during these attacks, particularly those who attempt to protect or warn the farmer, but the most brutal violence is typically directed at the owners and their families.
These incidents are not typical property crimes.
The nature and intensity of the violence indicate deeper criminal networks, cross-border infiltration, and organised groups operating with little resistance in remote areas.
Re-establishing a structured rural-protection system would demonstrate to international partners — especially the USA — that South Africa is committed to stabilising its agricultural sector and securing its borders.
This would directly improve diplomatic relations, rebuild global confidence, and reinforce South Africa’s commitment to food production and rural development.
The Boernation Heritage Foundation further expresses concern over political rhetoric that seeks to shift the national conversation from criminality to racial division.
This approach fuels tension, misleads the public, and obscures the real threat faced by rural communities.
Farm attacks represent a violent-crime emergency.
Protecting farmers and workers is not only a moral obligation but a national priority essential to the country’s survival.
The Boernation Heritage Foundation stands firmly for:
• the protection of all rural families
• the preservation of food security
• the stabilisation of agricultural communities
• the restoration of international trust
• the promotion of lawful, community-driven rural security
We call on government, civil society, and international partners to support immediate action to protect South Africa’s most vulnerable and strategically important communities.
Issued by: Barend Krüger
Non Executive Member
Boernation Heritage Foundation
NPO Public Relations Division
