Secret organisation that pulled the strings in South Africa for decades

The secretive Afrikaner Broederbond, of which every leader of the South African government was a member, wielded tremendous influence in the country for decades.

The Afrikaner Broederbond was started in 1918, when a group of Afrikaners founded a new organisation called Jong Suid-Afrika to further Afrikaner nationalism.

A year later, the organisation changed its name to the Afrikaner Broederbond. Its members were exclusive to protestant Afrikaner men and by invitation only.

The organisation focused on maintaining Afrikaner culture, developing an Afrikaner economy, and gaining influence in the government.

It was built on a Christian-national foundation with the motto, “Be Strong”.

In the 1930s, the Afrikaner Broederbond created public front organisations, including the Federasie van Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniginge (FAK).

These groups served to further the cultural work of the Afrikaner Broederbond, with the original organisation evolving into an influential, secretive organisation.

Its rituals and membership remained secret, and Broederbond members would not speak publicly about the organisation.

There were many rumours of secret handshakes and how new members were interrogated in a dark room with only a candle on their desk.

Members were cautioned not to let their wives overhear discussions with other members, and they should keep their meetings low-key.

Members could disclose their own Afrikaner Broederbond membership, but not that of any other members.

Only after they were accepted into the Afrikaner Broederbond would the lights be turned on for them to see the leadership.

The secret organisation wielded enormous power, and every prime minister and state president from 1948 to 1994 was a Broederbond member.

These members include D. F. Malan, H. F. Verwoerd, J. G. Strijdom, John Vorster, Pik Botha, P.W. Botha, F. W. De Klerk, and Marthinus van Schalkwyk.

The Afrikaner Broederbond also influenced the appointment of leaders of key state institutions to further their initiatives.

Its power extended to many parts of society, including schools, churches, the judiciary, universities, the police, local government, and business.

Influential members in these fields include former RAU rector Theunis Roux Botha, the billionaire Anton Rupert, and Dutch Reformed Church missionary Nico Smith.

The most powerful organisation in South Africa

In 1977, Time Magazine described the Afrikaner Broederbond as “The most powerful organisation in South Africa”.

It said the elite, secret society was the nerve center that keeps Afrikaner nationalism alive through the National Party, Dutch Reformed churches and cultural and educational institutions.

Time Magazine said the organisation has grown to a membership of more than 10,000 in nearly 700 divisions across South Africa and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).

It said each Broederbond division met monthly to discuss a circular sent out from the head offices in Johannesburg.

“The circular contains directives on every facet of public life that may become an issue: politics, racial problems, security matters, vacant posts that brothers should fill,” it said.

“On any given issue, there are 10,000 men in a position to propagandise Afrikaner society with the Broederbond line.”

“The public has no way of knowing whether or not spontaneous public statements are actually made at the Broederbond’s behest.”

It claimed that the prime minister regularly consulted with the Broederbond to inform its leaders about significant governmental policy shifts.

Many resources said the Afrikaner Broederbond founded Volkskas Bank, and the organisation appointed all its directors.

The top leadership of other large businesses, including Sanlam and Rembrandt, were key Afrikaner Broederbond members.

The end of the secret Afrikaner Broederbond

The Afrikaner Broederbond started to lose its influence due to political changes in South Africa, ultimately leading to the first democratic elections in 1994.

The organisation ended its secrecy in 1993 and changed its name to the Afrikanerbond. It continues to promote Afrikaner culture.

It became a more inclusive organisation with membership open to Afrikaans-speaking South Africans over 18.

However, there is still a selection process. Applicants must undergo a selection process before membership is granted.

Although its motto remains “Be Strong”, it modernised its logo to be more representative of the new century.

The Afrikanerbond states that it represents Afrikaners who are genuinely committed to South Africa and who want to contribute positively.

It added that it works towards creating a prosperous South Africa that offers opportunities for all South Africans.

“The Afrikanerbond is concerned with protecting fundamental rights, establishing democracy, promoting responsible citizenship, and promoting patriotism,” it states.

The organisation is involved with affirmative action, actions against crime, rural safety, land reform, name changes, and mother tongue education.

Afrikaner Broederbond documents