About

Why was RP Formed?

South Africa is on the verge of becoming a failed state. Its institutions are falling apart, its economy has been stagnant for a decade, electricity and water supplies are no longer reliable and we have chronic poverty, unemployment and crime.

Doing nothing is not an option. It is time to ask the people of the Western Cape what it is that they want.

What are Our Objectives?

The Referendum Party is a single-issue political party. We exist with only one purpose, to force Premier Alan Winde to listen to the Western Cape people and to call a referendum on Cape Independence.

Without a referendum, we will be condemned to share South Africa's fate and we can not become a First World country.

We do not intend to remove the DA from government in the Western Cape. In fact, we promise that we will vote with the DA and against the ANC so that voters can be reassured that there are no possible circumstances under which a vote for the Referendum Party could result in the ANC coming to power in the province.

What Brought Us to This Point?

We have exhausted every other avenue open to us and this is now the only option which remains.

We have asked the Premier for a referendum. We have marched to the provincial parliament and petitioned the Premier for a referendum. We have presented independent research to the Premier which shows that two-thirds of Western Cape voters support a Cape Independence referendum being held. One in four voters has signed a written mandate calling for Cape Independence.

Prior to the 2021 elections we negotiated an agreement with DA leader John Steenhuisen that the DA would call a referendum on Cape Independence.

Despite all of this, Premier Alan Winde has stubbornly refused to call a referendum, saying that he does not believe in Cape Independence. In doing so, the DA has broken their promise.

We are now left with just one option - to ask Cape Independence supporters to vote for the Referendum Party in 2024 in order to force the Premier to listen to the people he has sworn to serve.

Our Core Values

These values are a framework which guide our actions, including how we interact with our team, our members and our supporters. Our hope is creating our own First World nation on Africa's southern tip and we’d like to see these values live on in the Cape of Good Hope.

1. Democracy: Our guiding principle. We respect the democratic will of the Cape.
2. Law & Order: Ensuring justice and security, upholding the rule of law.
3. Non-Racialism: Rejecting race-based distinctions, promoting equal opportunities for all.
4. Non-Violence: Embracing peaceful solutions, renouncing violence.
5. Meritocracy & Pragmatism & Excellence: Decisions based on merit and practicality, fostering progress and representing excellence.
6. Honesty & Integrity: Leading with transparency, ethics, and sincerity.
7. Economic Prudence: Responsible economic management for sustained growth.
8. Inclusivity & Respect: Valuing respect and inclusivity.
9. International Law & Self Determination: Adhering to international norms and rights.
10. Proudly Cape: Celebrating our unique identity, history and culture.