/ 16 March 2011

Orania founder Carel Boshoff dies

Orania founder Professor Carel Boshoff died at his home on Wednesday.

“Our beloved Professor Carel Boshoff died this morning at his house in peace,” an announcement by the Orania Movement said.

Boshoff (83) had cancer, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported.

The Freedom Front Plus (FF+) on Wednesday paid tribute to Boshoff.

“It is with great sadness that I have heard of the passing away of Professor Carel Boshoff,” FF+ leader Pieter Mulder said in a statement.

Boshoff would be remembered as an Afrikaner intellectual, cultural man, writer and theologian.

Constructive solutions
As founder of Orania he challenged Afrikaner intellectuals to develop constructive solutions which would ensure the future of Afrikaners in Africa, he said.

Boshoff in his career served as a missionary in Soweto, but also made huge personal sacrifices in the interest of the Afrikaner.

“This led to his honesty and sincerity as [a] wise leader [being] appreciated and respected by people from all race groups.”

President Jacob Zuma recently visited Boshoff in Orania and expressed his appreciation for Boshoff’s contributions over many years, as well as for the entrepreneurial spirit and successful projects in Orania.

“On behalf of myself and the Freedom Front Plus, which had been represented by Professor Boshoff in the Northern Cape legislature, I express my sympathy and condolences with the Boshoff family. We pray for their comfort,” Mulder said. — Sapa