Pioneer InitiativeExecutive Summary
This report offers feedback on the Pioneer Initiative's first international liaison tour to the United States of America, with specific reference to conversations held with policymakers, opinion-makers, media, and other influential role-players. The tour was conducted against the backdrop of the growing international recognition that South Africa's political system is unsustainable, and that the principles of self-governance and decentralization are essential for future stability. Through insightful dialogue, strategic engagement, and positive media relations, a foundation was laid for long-term partnerships and global support for communities in South Africa—communities that are not behind, but rather ahead in addressing global questions around identity, community freedom, and the advancement of a sustainable political order.
"My personal feeling is that the Afrikaner nation is faced with an extremely difficult and at the same time extremely important spiritual task—a task that it will have to undertake without having the option to refuse. It seems to me that in South Africa you are already dealing with a situation that the rest of the world will soon share, due to the 'abolition of distance' brought about by the advance of Western technology... There will never again be a place in the world where different factions of mankind can withdraw into isolation from one another... Now, in South Africa, the misfortune of history has already placed the native, coloured, and white people of the country early on into this difficult situation. History—or God—has given you the honourable task of being the spiritual pioneers in attempting to find a solution to a spiritual problem which the rest of the human race will soon also face."
These are the words of the prominent historian Arnold Toynbee, author of the twelve-volume A Study of History (published between 1934 and 1961). He made this statement in 1951 after the young Afrikaner, Piet Meyer, asked him for commentary on the condition and calling of the Afrikaner people.
Toynbee's words are more true today than ever before. We have said for some time now that the rest of the world — especially the Western world — should not view South Africa as a place lagging behind, but rather as a place ahead of the curve. South Africa is ahead because we are already dealing with problems that the rest of the world is still going to face. But more importantly, South Africa is ahead because the task of finding solutions to these problems rests on our shoulders—solutions that may well be of value to the rest of the world. In our pursuit of these solutions, we are not in the rearguard—we are the pioneers!
The Pioneer Initiative, the South African Dispensation, and the Abolition of Distance
The Pioneer Initiative was launched on 7 March 2025. The message is clear: South Africa's political dispensation is not sustainable. The question is not whether things are going to change, but rather when they will change — and how. That is why we at the Pioneer Initiative believe that, although South Africa can change in many ways, the basic starting point of such change must be the decentralization of the political system and a political order based on the principle of self-governance. Self-governance can take various forms, which we will continue to discuss in the months ahead. The core idea, however, is that communities must have the freedom to govern themselves. This can refer to regional communities, but also to cultural communities.
It is against this backdrop that the Pioneer Initiative's first international liaison tour was undertaken. Upon reflection — and in reference to the quote that opens this report — the tour can be described as the "Abolition of Distance" tour. This is, firstly, because we were inspired by Toynbee's description of the Afrikaners' unique task: to find solutions for a diversity of communities living closely together. But secondly, because modern technology has indeed made the distance between us and our (potential) friends abroad "smaller."
This "distance" is reduced not only because it is easier than ever to travel from one country to another, but also because digital communication — and the advent of digital and social media — makes it much easier to communicate across continents. Therefore, as Afrikaners, in the spirit of Toynbee's statement, we have a unique task: to share our experience with the world. When we speak with the rest of the world, we are not asking others to solve our problems on our behalf. Rather, we ask that they learn from our experience and contribute, from their unique positions, to the solutions we are already working on — just as we believe we can contribute to the solutions being developed in other parts of the world.
International Liaison
Against this background, we communicate internationally across various spheres. We engage with government officials, politicians, researchers, the media (mainstream and alternative), organizations, diaspora communities, and general supporters. Each of these spheres has a unique interest and can contribute to our solutions in a unique way. Therefore, each sphere must also be approached with a specific angle and focus. Naturally, this requires certain skills, since our task is to consistently and coherently package our message in a way that is accessible to different audiences, without contradicting ourselves.
In this regard, we can confidently say that the "Abolition of Distance" tour was a major success! During this tour, the Pioneer Initiative held around twelve individual meetings, which included role players from each of the spheres mentioned above. Our meetings in Washington, D.C., podcast interviews, and the event in New York (hosted by the New York Young Republicans Club — NYYRC) deserve special mention. Of course, it is not always appropriate to publicly report on the finer details of exactly who we met with and what was said — not necessarily because of sensitivities on our side, but often due to sensitivities (for various reasons) on the part of the individuals or institutions we engaged with. Still, I can say that we spoke with some of the most influential role players in the United States, and that every conversation revolved around the role and function of the Pioneer Initiative, the failures of the current South African government, the political changes that have already occurred in South Africa, the changes that lie ahead, and what can be done to ensure a more stable, sustainable Southern Africa.
The liaison tour coincided with a visit by a delegation from Orania, who were also in the United States — particularly in Washington, D.C. and New York. During this period, several joint conversations took place. The NYYRC event is one example of this collaboration.
During the visit, we also spoke with some of the most prominent public figures in the USA, including international personalities such as Jordan Peterson and Ben Shapiro, to name just two. In Washington, we liaised with role players across the full spectrum.
Summary of Observations
At this stage, it is more important to give feedback on overarching impressions than on the finer details of each conversation (which, in some cases, must be communicated cautiously for reasons already mentioned).
Therefore, we can make several high-level observations that are particularly valuable to us. I present these in list format. It is important to remember that the general public in the USA still knows very little about South Africa — not because South Africa is unimportant, but because a large portion (probably the majority) of Americans are not particularly interested in foreign politics. The points below thus refer not to the proverbial "man on the street," but to the various spheres of role players mentioned earlier who, in one way or another, have an interest in South Africa's situation or can add value.
Growing awareness
There is a rapidly growing awareness that South Africa is not the "miracle story" that was celebrated during the 1990s. The failures of the South African government have simply become too significant to ignore.
Understanding of a deeper crisis
It is not difficult to show that the crisis in South Africa runs deeper than just having the "wrong" president or political party in power. The real issue lies deeper. Corruption, state capture, unemployment, crime, the collapse of the education system, the electricity and water crises, and general service delivery failures are not problems in themselves, but symptoms of a deeper issue—a systemic problem.
Decentralization and self-governance as the solution
It is also not difficult to convincingly argue that a more sustainable political order would be one rooted in the principles of decentralization and self-governance. In the American context, the principle of federalism is well understood (much more so than in South Africa), which makes it easier to explain the need for decentralization in a way that resonates with Americans.
The South African government's track record
The South African government's track record in foreign policy deeply frustrates Americans. This frustration is not limited to the South African government's legal actions against Israel, but extends to its voting record at the UN (South Africa is one of the countries most consistently voting against the USA), its glorification of some of the most brutal dictators and human rights violators of the past century, its stubborn commitment to outdated Marxist ideologies, inconsistent behavior, reckless statements, and morally questionable conduct on international matters in general. This is to say nothing of the ANC's (as ruling party) cold attitude toward farm murders, the "Kill the Boer" chant, and its relationships with Hamas and other radical movements.
The rediscovery of the Afrikaners
Afrikaners are being rediscovered globally—and particularly in the United States. Previously, Afrikaners were regarded much like the "untouchables" in India: a group so low on the moral hierarchy that nothing good could be said about them. This was because the ANC decisively won the propaganda war of the 1990s—to such an extent that Afrikaners no longer even felt they could call themselves Afrikaners. The term had simply become too controversial. However, this proverbial pendulum swung so far to the left that it became detached from reality. Over time, this disconnect became so obvious that it could no longer be ignored. That is why we can now confidently say: the Afrikaners are back! Not just in the sense of being rediscovered, but in the sense that our pursuit of freedom at the southern tip of Africa is increasingly being recognized as a legitimate and honorable pursuit—one that can be supported with conviction.
As Afrikaners, we have a unique role to play in emphasizing the bridge we offer between the West and Africa. From a civilizational perspective, Afrikaners are undoubtedly Westerners. We descend from the Dutch, Germans, and French, who in turn stem from the roots of Western civilization. Our history, therefore, does not begin in 1652, but in ancient Greece, Rome, and Jerusalem (these cities being metaphors, rather than literal references, for the roots of Western civilization). Yet, in a very real sense, we are also Africans. The word "African" can be confusing because it is often used to describe the so-called "African civilization." That is not who we are. But we are of Africa. We became a people here. We named ourselves and our language after the continent. Here we fought, built, and died. We created a unique culture and tradition and shaped ourselves in ways that clearly distinguish us from our European forebears. We can no longer be accurately described as Europeans. Thus, we serve as a bridge between Africa and the West. In this sense, we are unique—but not entirely alone. There are other peoples who shoulder this kind of responsibility. Consider the Hungarians, for example, who serve—quite proudly and with confidence—as a bridge between the West and the East.
A global shift in consciousness
Against this backdrop, it must be noted that an important development is taking root worldwide. Across the Western world (which includes the Afrikaners, though not necessarily South Africa as a whole), there is a growing realization that it is not simply Americans, Englishmen, Germans, Afrikaners, etc. who are under attack—but that Western civilization itself is in jeopardy. As with any civilization, there are cultural differences within the Western world—consider, for example, the long and complex history between the English and the French. Nevertheless, we agree that we are all Westerners. And across the world, we are becoming aware that our Western identity is under fire everywhere. This is why Westerners should support one another globally. This does not mean dissolving our unique cultures, but rather joining hands, strengthening one another, and taking a united stand on the things we share in common. The rise of major international conservative conferences like the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), the National Conservatism Conference (NatCon), and the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC) is just one way in which this growing international alliance is materializing. In this context, Afrikaners have a unique role to play. Every group involved in this alliance has something unique to contribute because each brings its own particular experiences. Our experience here at the southern tip of Africa is especially unique—not because we are behind the rest of the world, but precisely because we are ahead of it.
The refugee question
The issue of refugee status for Afrikaners is high on the agenda in Washington. It's a difficult topic to navigate, and a few things must be said about it. Firstly, it seems that the matter is being pushed especially by the White House, while other role players in Washington—and across the USA more broadly—are convinced that refugee status is not sufficient. Not only does it fail to solve the crisis in South Africa, but it could in fact contribute to greater instability. If there are individuals who wish to emigrate from South Africa to the USA, it is a good thing if the process is made easier for them. Our responsibility, however, is to ensure that they do not sever ties with their people back home, in the place where we deserve a homeland. Emigration does not offer a solution to the collective crisis in which we find ourselves. Greater stability in Southern Africa—and a Western ally that can live freely in the land of their ancestors—will add more value to the USA than a large number of Westerners who simply emigrate there. This point needs to be strongly emphasized in the coming months.
Strategic positioning
Positioning is of crucial importance. Due to the racial dynamics of the struggle being waged by the ANC in South Africa, there are numerous far-right groups that wish to latch onto the Afrikaners' struggle—or who want to co-opt our challenge for their own racist agendas. It is not our task to be seen alongside anyone who wishes to be seen with us, but specifically with those who can genuinely add value to our cause. For this reason, we sometimes need to say "no," because association with certain role players (I refer here specifically to the more radical right-wing of American politics) could cause far more harm than good to our cause. The reality is that wrong associations can close more doors than they open—doors that might otherwise be accessible if we had positioned ourselves more strategically.
What we are asking from the USA
What we ask from the USA is limited. We are not asking the United States to solve our problems for us. We have enough confidence in ourselves to do that on our own. What we do ask of the USA—and other friends around the world—is that they recognize our pursuit of freedom as a legitimate cause, and that they support it through practical means wherever they can. This practical support could include public communication, funding, joint projects, and the creation of opportunities more broadly.
Broad Framework for the Road Ahead
The recent liaison tour has already unlocked several opportunities for the Pionier Initiative. This includes leading role players in the USA indicating a desire to engage with the Initiative, as well as traditional and alternative media platforms expressing interest in interviews about South Africa's situation and the urgent need for change.
It is crucial to follow up on these opportunities, expand our international networks, and use public communication platforms to strengthen our cause and create new opportunities. It is also important to stress that communication opportunities are not an end in themselves, but a means to an end.
A point already made above must be re-emphasized: we are not expecting foreign actors to solve our problems for us, but we do welcome a supporting role in this regard. Through our pursuit of sustainable solutions, we can receive recognition abroad for the legitimacy of our aspirations—and international pressure can be applied to dissuade the South African government from destructive policy ideas and encourage a more stable, sustainable policy environment.
To the extent that the Pionier Initiative advocates for a more sustainable political order, we want to stress that we are not asking foreign powers to intervene and enforce it—but we do believe that foreign recognition and pressure are important tools to be used to our advantage.
Actions in Prospect
Given the above, the following actions are proposed for international liaison efforts—not only in the USA but abroad more generally. A separate document will provide detailed feedback on foreign strategy. For now, the following points are priorities in the coming months:
Engagement with individual stakeholders and decision-makers
Continue engaging with individuals, institutions, and other decision-makers abroad. These stakeholders must be kept informed of developments in South Africa—but more importantly, of ways in which they can help put sustainable solutions in place.
Addressing meetings, gatherings, and conferences
Speaking at international events allows us to share our message, gain support, deepen our foreign networks, and strengthen our credibility. We must continue this work.
Media engagements
We must communicate through both mainstream and alternative media to raise awareness and support for more sustainable solutions. Positioning is key here—we must be discerning about which outlets we approach and how we do so. Our credibility as a legitimate institution with a worthy cause is more important than the short-term exposure offered by discredited, malicious, or extreme platforms.
Policy briefings
We must continue to educate foreign stakeholders about policy developments in South Africa, aiming to build opposition to destructive ideas and support for a sustainable policy framework. We must also engage around opportunities where foreign policy can assist our mission for a better political order.
Mobilization of the diaspora
The diaspora plays a vital role. There are many examples of how diaspora communities can contribute to local solutions—by raising awareness, engaging media and institutions in their countries, lobbying political representatives, and contributing financially.
General mobilization of international supporters
It's not only the diaspora who can add value. A growing international audience is taking note of South Africa's situation and agreeing that sustainable solutions must be found. This includes organizational supporters and ordinary members of the public. Each has a unique role to play.
These actions provide only a broad framework and are not yet detailed enough to serve as a planning document. Careful planning is still required with clear goals, milestones, and deliverables.
Closing Remarks and Summary
The fact that the distance between us and the international world is — according to Toynbee — being "eliminated" is something we must seize. We are therefore pleased to report that the Pionier Initiative's first international tour was a resounding success. Our task now is to sustain the momentum we have already built and capitalize on it. While our primary focus is finding solutions within South Africa, we must continue seeking international support for our cause. There are no easy solutions. The proverbial "silver bullet" that can solve all problems at once does not exist.
Our path forward is built on a variety of factors—factors that the Pionier Initiative will continue to reflect on, discuss, and plan for in the months to come. While we may not have simple solutions, we can confidently say that the building blocks of those solutions are clear. In the coming months, the Pioneer Initiative will share more on those building blocks and the road ahead.
Dr. Ernst Roets is Executive Director of the Pioneer Initiative