The launch of a new political party, the Referendum Party, has been declared for Thursday 9 November, at the Old Tannery in Wellington. The event will be live-streamed from 10:30.
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In a democratic system, the voice of the people is the sacred principle upon which all political legitimacy lies, and recent polling data in the Western Cape unmistakably reflects a yearning for change. A consistent majority of Western Cape voters, as highlighted by the latest survey by professional polling group Victory Research in August 2023, stands at a formidable 68%, endorsing the call for a referendum on Cape Independence.

This demand had gained a foothold long before the 2021 local elections, when DA leader John Steenhuisen personally pledged to the Cape Independence Advocacy Group (CIAG) that his party would champion a Western Cape referendum, featuring a pivotal question on independence.

However, on the 10th of October, in response to a renewed call to fulfil this promise for a referendum, signed by over 30,000 Western Cape voters, DA Premier Alan Winde announced that his party was withdrawing their commitment. The emergence of the Referendum Party now offers a lifeline for Western Cape residents who believe in the right to decide this vital question - should we remain under the power of the South African government?

The Referendum Party, led by Phil Craig, presents itself as a political force that seeks to empower the voice of the people. Disheartened by the DA's about-face and disregard for the will of the Western Cape populace, the party is taking a principled stance. According to Craig, "It is disappointing that the DA would break their word and ignore the will of the Western Cape people on this issue, but what needs to be done is now clear. If people want a referendum to be held on Cape Independence, then in 2024, they are going to have to vote for a referendum on Cape Independence."

The party's strategy pivots on the ramifications of denying the Western Cape a say in its own future. It underscores the inherent powerlessness that characterizes the current system of governance in the Western Cape, which hampers its ability to tackle pressing issues. The slogan "A DA-led government in Cape Town isn't going to save you, if an ANC government in Pretoria is making all of the key decisions" encapsulates the party's sentiment.

Western Cape's lack of control over crucial aspects like economic policy, policing, taxation, and border management has led to dire consequences – a staggering 25% unemployment rate, the ignominious distinction of having the highest murder rate globally, financial support for ANC's corruption and inefficiency elsewhere in South Africa, and the ongoing challenge of illegal land invasions, which deny lawful residents access to vital resources.

The success of this new party relies on the ability for them, and other parties supporting a referendum, such as the more conservative Freedom Front Plus, to deprive the DA of their governing majority, and force a coalition. With the ANC and EFF together making up less than 30% in the province even by the most generous estimates, the fear of a Charterist government in the Western Cape is largely unfounded, and the secessionists stand a decent chance of securing their aims.

The Referendum Party has set its sights on securing a modest 100,000 votes, a number it deems sufficient to compel a Cape Independence referendum. The party's mission one that ensures the voices of the Western Cape people are heard and respected, regardless of their political leanings.