Cape Independence Advocacy Group to lobby US for Western Cape secession

Amy MacIver on Views and News interviews Phil Craig, co-founder of the Cape Independence Advocacy Group (CIAG).

Listen below:

The Cape Independence Advocacy Group has formally notified the President, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, and the Western Cape Premier of its intention to send a delegation to the United States in April to meet with officials from the Trump administration.

The purpose of the meeting will be to raise awareness of the campaign for Cape independence.

"We're using whatever means we can to try and force the Western Cape premier to pursue democracy and ask the people of the Western Cape what they want."

- Phil Craig, Co-Founder – Cape Independence Advocacy Group

Craig explains that the group's longstanding criticism of the South African government is a primary motivation behind their push for Cape independence.

He argues that South Africans, particularly those in the Western Cape, have been "gaslit" by the government into believing they are the problem. 

"Now, finally, we've got a regime that's coming in the US that's turned around and said 'no, you're the problem... the South African government, ANC, you're the problem - you are causing all of these issues... you're causing unemployment, you're causing poverty, you're standing in the way of the development of people's lives'."

- Phil Craig, Co-Founder – Cape Independence Advocacy Group

While Craig clarifies that none of the meetings have been finalised yet, he expresses confidence that they will be well-received in the US.

"I hope that we're going to show the best of South Africa and its people."

- Phil Craig, Co-Founder – Cape Independence Advocacy Group

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.