“We Know What You Mean”: Woman Defends Afrikaners for Building a Private University, SA Debates

• A young South African woman posted a TikTok defending Afrikaans-only institutions, arguing groups have a right to build their own spaces
• She praised the pre-1994 government's infrastructure record and challenged viewers to compare it to post-1994 leadership
• The video divided South Africans online, with many admitting — reluctantly — that she had a point

A young South African woman set social media alight after posting a TikTok that many said they wished they could dismiss but simply could not. TikTok user @sokhana.saliwa posted the video on 31 July 2026, and it quickly spread far beyond her usual following.

In it, she defended the existence of Afrikaans-only institutions, arguing that when a group of people is repeatedly told they do not belong, it becomes logical for that group to create its own spaces. She told viewers not to act surprised when that happens.

A difficult truth for many to hear

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She did not stop there. Sokhana went on to praise the pre-1994 government's track record on infrastructure, pointing to roads and schools as evidence that the former administration was highly productive. She directly challenged viewers to compare that era's output with what post-1994 governments have delivered, and she acknowledged upfront that her words would attract backlash.

What made the video spread so widely was not just what she said, but who was saying it. A young black South African woman, natural hair and all, making a case that many associated with a very different demographic. She argued that communities have both the right and the means to build for themselves, and questioned why more has not been done collectively.

Watch the TikTok video that divided South Africa below:

Mzansi reacts to the viral TikTok

Commenters noted that she was not expressing nostalgia for apartheid but rather frustration with the failures of current leadership. South Africans in the comments had a lot to say:

@Mr Kay's Travel Club TVsa said:

"Our own have failed us, so at this point you are right, Ntombi 🫶."

@Warren Majoor added:

"You will be successful your whole life. Bless your mind and soul. I'll work beside you any given day!!"

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@mark wyloo kept it short:

"Common sense! It's not black or white; it's right is right."

@Dragon Child shared:

"We don't want apartheid back; we want governance back. I agree, sis. ❤️ We know what you mean."

@mapae said:

"I love the fact that you give credit where credit is due, while you are not trying to be white. Impressive that you are beautiful with your afro hair and accent. I'm following you now."

@adan questioned:

"What is stopping black communities from building their own institutions for their communities? The sheer numbers are in your favour to work together and get things done."

3 Briefly News articles about Afrikaners

• Political commentator Pieter Kriel sparked widespread discussion among South Africans after sharing his insightful perspective on what it truly means to be an Afrikaner in modern-day South Africa.
• A man from Mzansi broke down the legal and international criteria for granting refugee status, explaining why applications from Afrikaners seeking refugee status abroad are consistently denied.
• A local man sparked online debate after sharing a detailed video explaining why Orania remains an exclusively Afrikaner town focused on preserving its distinct cultural heritage.

Source: Briefly News