Sydafrika

The Fallen Giant:
Funeral of Eugene Terre’Blanche
Largest gathering of Whites in the "New South Africa" yet


Last year, when Eugene Terre’Blanche had announced in the media, he was going to revive the AWB and intended to mobilise the volk to gather in mass demonstrations, his opponents just grinned at him scornfully. Even among his sympathizers there was quite a kind of doubt if this high aim could ever be reached, since the desolate situation within the white opposition in South Africa is everything but promising.

However, against all odds, the funeral of Eugene Terre’Blanche has become the largest demonstrative gathering of Whites in South Africa since 1994. Between 12.000 and 15.000 South Africans paid a last tribute to Eugene Terre’Blanche on 9 April in Ventersdorp. From all parts of the country the Boers, but also many German- and English-speaking South Africans, had flocked together. They came from the entire Transvaal, the Orange Free State, from Natal and even as far as from the Cape and from South West Africa.

Quite remarkably, the majority of the mourners were not necessarily die-hard supporters of the AWB, but rather admirers of Eugene Terre’Blanche. Yesterday, it was clearly proven that Eugene Terre’Blanche’s message has had reached all social classes of Whites. We have seen a real representative cross-section of the white South African population. Coming from all kind of professions, businesses and careers they gathered together driven by mainly one motivation that is uniting them: They just want to life in safety and peace, want to carry out a trade and educate their children in their own country according to their own cultural beliefs and ethical convictions. This justified human right is being withheld from them – it is being withheld from us! Exactly for this basic right Eugene Terre’Blance stood up. And it is this engagement many South Africans, not necessarily members of the AWB, have understood and identified with.

Therefore, thousands of workers and students, younger couples with their children, farmers, academics and bikers as well as former members of the Police Force and the Army had gathered in the Afrikaanse Protestante Kerk and on all main roads in Ventersdorp to pay tribute to the man who, despite of the storms of time, always kept course in direction of self-determination and never refrained from his anti-communist convictions.

Basically all mass media accredited in South Africa were present yesterday. Their numbers where enormous and reminded me on official receptions. Although the widow, Mrs. Martie Terre’Blanche, had expressed her wish that the mourners should refrain from carrying flags and banners, since she wanted to ensure a honourable service for her murdered husband rather than to have a political rally, it was not possible to prevent some mourners to make their stand in the nicest manner. Let us be honest, presenting the proud Oranje-Blanje-Blou, the Vierkleur and some AWB-flags did not harm the dignity of the ceremony at all, but, on the contrary, emphasized the dignity of the funeral service.
When the coffin had been carried into the church, the actual ceremony began by singing the first verse of Die Stem van Suid-Afrika. In his speech, the minister told the audience to refrain from evil in the form of mammon and the false gods of materialism and decadence. Wise words indeed! Furthermore, he admonished the thousands of people to open their heart for Jesus Christ and to accept the God of Israel. To my taste, the clergyman could have spent a little more attention to the grief of Mrs Terre’Blanche and her family and, therefore, could have become more individual and personal. The other two speakers, one of them Steve Hofmeyr (sic!), rather dealt with the political situation in the country and especially focussed on the current hate speeches by the ANC Youth League. Since the programme was dignified by singing both, church and freedom songs, the entire ceremony had something of grandeur and sense of togetherness.

By no means only women were deeply moved during the ecclesiastical service and when Eugene Terre’Blance was laid to rest subsequently. Not just a few men were on the verge of tears. At the grave the mourners had the opportunity to pay the final farewell to Eugene Terre’Blanche and to express condolences to Mrs Terre’Blanche and her grieving family. It was quite amazing to note that a couple of condolences from abroad have also arrived.

The ceremony has never been disturbed at any occasion. The Police Force, surprisingly and fortunately consisting of quite a number of white policemen, appeared in a very professional and co-operative manner. »Celebrating« youth indoctrinated by Communist misconception and instigators preferred to stay inside their township. This decision was undoubtedly well chosen, and certainly reverent. Black workers and onlookers standing on the main street were absolutely silent – just like the white mourners were when they passed Tshing driving in long queues at a crawl to Eugene Terre’Blanche’s farm some 15 kilometres outside Ventersdorp.
Characteristically, the South African media have made no announcement of the large number of mourners attending the ceremony. They have not even tried to ridicule the number as they do it usually. How deeply must they have been shocked by realizing that the one they always have mocked and lampooned, even in death has put a clear and eternal sign by mobilizing the white masses like nobody else has done.

Claus Nordbruch, 10 April 2010


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Canadian Association for Free Expression.
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