"Campaign Journalism": Kallie Kriel Hits Back After News24 Exposes AfriForum’s Orania Millions

• AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel publicly challenged News24 after the publication ran an investigation into millions spent in Orania
• News24 journalist Kyle Cowan reported that AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement spent about R108 million on projects in the Afrikaner settlement
• Kriel defended the organisation's record, naming more than 30 traditional communities it has worked with beyond Orania

SOUTH AFRICA - AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel has hit back at News24 after the publication ran an investigation headlined "Revealed: AfriForum's Orania Millions," calling it an example of "hit pieces or campaign journalism."

Kriel posted a video on X responding directly to claims in the article, which was written by News24 journalist Kyle Cowan.

What the news piece said

The investigation examined the growing involvement of AfriForum and the broader Solidarity Movement in Orania, the Afrikaner-only settlement in the Northern Cape. The central finding was that the two organisations had collectively channelled approximately R108 million into various projects there.

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News24 framed the spending as part of an effort to build Orania into a larger centre for Afrikaner self-determination, using the phrase "a new Jerusalem" to describe the vision behind the development.

Kriel calls AfriForum "community builders"

Kriel rejected the framing of the report and argued that AfriForum's work in Orania was part of a far wider pattern of community investment across South Africa. He described the organisation as "community builders" and said it had cooperated with a broad range of communities, not only Orania.

Among those he named were AfriForum AmaBhele kaJamangile, Barolong Boo Seleka and Cape Forum, a Coloured community organisation. He said AfriForum had worked with more than 30 traditional communities across the country and helped establish a network of cultural communities built around self-reliance.

He said that at the very least, "News24's 'revelation' of this old news will allow the public to see the extensive work AfriForum is doing to promote community self-reliance."

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See video here:

Previous News24 investigation on Afriforum

In a previous expose by News 24 on Afriforum's finances, News24 revealed AfriForum earned over R1.6 billion between 2019 and 2024 but spent only R2 out of every R10 on actual projects. Musician Steve Hofmeyr dismissed the investiagion,accusing the publication of acting as the ANC's mouthpiece.South Africans were divided by Hofmeyr's response, with some agreeing and others pointing out the story clearly rattled supporters.

Afriforum partners with March and March

Previously, Briefly News reported that Afriforum made a working agreement with another civil sociey group, sparking a antional debate and outrage. AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel publicly explained why one of South Africa's most prominent Afrikaner civil society organisations has joined forces with March on March, a fast-growing black civil society group. The two organisations met in Pretoria earlier this week, and the alliance has left many South Africans with questions.

Source: Briefly News