On the Highveld just east of Pretoria lies Kleinfontein, an Afrikaner cultural village founded by the Boer Freedom Movement in 1992 to mark the 150th anniversary of the Great Trek. Spanning nearly 900 hectares, including parts of the historic Donkerhoek farm, the site of the Anglo-Boer War’s Battle of Diamond Hill, Kleinfontein’s identity is deeply rooted in Afrikaner history and the ideal of republican freedom.
Home to about 1,400 people, it is a rare beacon of faith, heritage, and self-reliance, offering an alternative to state dependency amid South Africa’s governance crises. Like Orania, Kleinfontein is built by Afrikaners, for Afrikaners, dedicated to preserving their language, religion, and way of life.
Yet this success has made it a target. A leaked municipal report recently named Kleinfontein among 17 “illegal settlements” facing possible demolition. Though the Tshwane housing official later denied any threat and sought dialogue, the damage was done: Kleinfontein is once again thrust into the national spotlight, seen by many as emblematic of the ongoing ideological battle against Afrikaner self-determination.
Faith, Family, and Flourishing Life
Kleinfontein’s foundation is deeply Christian, rooted in Protestant values that shape every part of community life, from governance to charity work. Church activities are central, fostering strong bonds of faith, family, and morality.
In a world where birth rates fall and traditional families fracture, Kleinfontein stands out. Last year alone, 14 babies were born, a remarkable figure for a town of just over 1,400. Children roam the streets freely, enjoying a safe, close-knit environment increasingly rare across South Africa.
Respect for elders is equally vital. The village runs a well-kept nursing home and frail-care center, ensuring seniors receive constant care and companionship. This multi-generational community keeps traditions alive, where young and old live side by side, neither forgotten nor isolated.
Infrastructure Without the State
What truly sets Kleinfontein apart is its self-reliance. While many communities in South Africa struggle with broken municipal services, Kleinfontein has built its systems, making it almost entirely independent of government infrastructure.
Electricity: Kleinfontein has never been connected to a municipal power grid. From the beginning, it maintained a direct supply line to Eskom; however, today the town generates 40% of its electricity through solar power. A solar farm is already operating, with plans underway to expand it further to reach complete energy independence. Load-shedding, blackouts, and municipal mismanagement are daily realities for many South Africans. Kleinfontein said no to the dark.
Water: For three decades, the town has managed its water supply. Fed by natural springs and boreholes, the community has built a comprehensive water purification system that ensures clean, drinking-quality water in every household. Residents do not depend on Tshwane's (Pretoria) failing infrastructure or experience the water shortages common in nearby urban areas.
Sewage and Sanitation: Initially reliant on septic tanks, Kleinfontein has now nearly completed the construction of its sewage treatment facility. Once completed, this system will enable wastewater to be recycled, thereby reducing environmental impact and providing long-term sustainability. The shift away from septic tanks is not only practical but also a bold investment in the future.
Waste Management: The town operates its own waste removal and recycling centre. Stormwater management and fire response are also managed internally, all of which are funded and coordinated through the community's own share-block company.
Self-Governance
Kleinfontein operates under a unique share-block structure, where property is not owned traditionally but through shares in a community-owned company. Residents must apply to become shareholders and meet specific criteria; they must be Afrikaans-speaking Protestants. This vetting process is entirely legal under South African law and protected by Section 235 of the Constitution, which guarantees cultural self-determination and freedom of association.
The community’s infrastructure and services are funded and managed by this share-block company, with residents paying fees directly to ensure transparent budgeting and local control. This model reinforces Kleinfontein’s core principle of self-determination.
Remarkably, the town operates without drawing subsidies or municipal water and generates a significant portion of its electricity. Despite this independence and success, Kleinfontein has been targeted in leaked municipal reports that labeled it among settlements facing potential demolition, sparking fears of eviction and political controversy.
Threat to Ideological Opponents
This backlash reflects deeper tensions in South Africa surrounding identity, land ownership, and minority rights. Residents of Kleinfontein do not see themselves as separatists, but as custodians of a cultural legacy. In a nation grappling with cultural erosion, corruption, and high levels of violence, Kleinfontein offers its community a sense of continuity, security, and genuine self-governance.
Despite its peaceful nature, the enclave has been the target of repeated political hostility. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have staged protests at the town’s entrance, with incidents of vandalism and intimidation reported. The MK Party - led by former South African President Jacob Zuma, currently out on medical parole and heading a newly formed political movement has also denounced Kleinfontein’s existence. These groups don’t merely object to the town itself; they reject what it symbolizes: a thriving, safe, and self-sufficient white Afrikaner community.
Kleinfontein lies in Gauteng, a province with one of the fastest-growing Afrikaner populations in the country. Pretoria East and its surrounding suburbs are home to over half of South Africa’s Afrikaners. According to the 2011 Census, about 1.26 million white South Africans lived in the greater Pretoria region, a number projected to rise to nearly 1.4 million by 2031.
This concentration presents an uncomfortable truth for radical Pan-Africanist parties that call for the erasure of white communities. Kleinfontein is not a dying relic - it is a functioning, growing model of what many Afrikaners hope to replicate elsewhere. For that reason, it has become a lightning rod.
A Vision of What Could Be
Kleinfontein is no utopia, but it shows what a community rooted in shared values, faith, and responsibility can achieve. It’s a place where neighbours connect, children are safe, and older people are cared for with dignity. Yet, it also warns of the challenges faced by communities thriving outside the state, often viewed with suspicion and threatened with eviction.
After 30 years, Kleinfontein continues to grow and strengthen, sustained not by government aid but by its people’s commitment to faith and heritage. Attacking Kleinfontein is more than attacking a town; it’s challenging the right to live independently and protect what is sacred.
In a troubled world, Kleinfontein may be part of the solution.
