South Africans have launched a petition to deport the British-born leader of the Cape Independence Advocacy Group and Referendum Party, Phil Craig.
The petition has garnered over 50 000 signatures.
PETITION TO DEPORT CAPE INDEPENDENCE GROUP FOUNDER
In recent weeks, a Change.org petition to deport Phil Craig, the leader of the Cape Independence movement, has gained momentum.
Started by a user called “Keep South Africa Free”, the description accuses Craig of “causing division in our country”.
It reads: “His actions are reminiscent of the Apartheid era, threatening to tear apart the unity we have fought so hard to establish. It is unacceptable that an outsider seeks to disrupt our peace and harmony.
“Our nation is home to over 58 million people from diverse backgrounds living together harmoniously. This diversity is what makes us strong and unique as a nation.
“We cannot allow individuals like Phil Craig, who does not understand or respect this diversity, to undermine our unity and progress towards racial harmony. His deportation back to England will send a clear message that divisive ideologies are not welcome here”.
The petition is set to 100 000 signatures, and has thus far reached over 56 000.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF CAPE INDEPENDENCE ADVOCACY GROUP?
As the name suggests, the Cape Independence group’s purpose is to lobby for the idea that the Western Cape should be independent from the rest of South Africa. Its mission is to create a new country, called the “Cape of Good Hope”.
This is done through public awareness, lobbying politicians, and pushing for a referendum on independence.
The organisation forms part of the Referendum Party, a registered political party established in 2023, focused on forcing a referendum on Cape independence.
It is not to be confused with the Cape Independence Party (also known as CAPEXIT), which was founded in 2007 by Jack Miller.
CAPEXIT calls for greater autonomy or independence for the Cape region.
WHO IS PHIL CRAIG?
Phil Craig is a British-born activist who is a qualified commercial real estate agent.
Phil Craig is not a South African citizen but has acquired permanent residence.
Now living in the Western Cape, he said in his official biography, “I have lived in South Africa for more than 20 years. I was not born here – I chose to become South African. I love this incredible country and its people, and I have never for one single day regretted that choice.
On his mission for Cape Independence, he said: “Our beautiful country is falling apart around us. And yet we don’t seem to have the courage to say, enough.”
“The Referendum Party is a battle cry, it’s a call to arms. It’s the start of the next chapter in our history. It’s time to build a future that our children will be proud of.”
