A high level delegation from the Solidarity Movement (SM) embarked on an exploratory mission, to investigate and pursue the possibility of establishing and developing bilateral ties between Hungary and the Solidarity Movement.
This visit would pave the way to establishing a more institutionalised relationship between the associated organisations, affiliates, members and Afrikaner based community networks of the Solidarity Movement; and Hungarian Christian organisations, cultural heritage institutions, academia, think-tanks, civil society, influential media, public and private sector role-players.
Background to the Solidarity Movement
The Solidarity Movement is a broad-based, Christian, conservative movement encompassing more than 24 civil organisations in South Africa and it has almost 600 000 members; however, in total this group encompasses and represents the common interests of about 2,5 Million Afrikaners, their families, communities and businesses. The Solidarity Movement with various dynamic, diverse organisations and institutions, comprises of the following major umbrella Organisations :
Solidarity (with Trade Union, with its own Investment and financial services); AfriForum (Civil Rights organisation with community safety, development and business network); SAAI (South African Agricultural Initiative); Akademia (independent private tertiary University education); Soltech (independent skills development centre); Helping Hand (social welfare and social development); etc.
Related, independent but affiliated business organisations include Sakeliga with 12 500 + direct Business Chamber Members, and a network of 40 000+ businesses and business people across Southern Africa, currently spreading its wings internationally.
Solidarity Movement website: https://beweging.co.za/en/
June 2021 – Visit to Hungary
- A representative delegation from the Solidarity Movement & it’s affiliated Partners, traveled to Hungary between the 5 – 15 June 2021, on its fact finding mission, including engagements with influential role-players, and across public and private sector spheres of Hungarian Society. The delegation comprised of the following members:
- Jaco Kleynhans : Head of International Relations for the Solidarity Movement
- Werner Human : Deputy CEO at Solidarity
- Piet Le Roux : CEO of Sakeliga
- Ernst Roets : Deputy CEO of AfriForum
- Dr. Theo de Jager : Chairman of SAAI
Meetings and Engagements
Meetings with:
- Mr. István Jakab – Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament
- Prof. Richárd Hörcsik – Parliamentarian & Chairman of the Hungarian Parliamentary Committee for European Union (EU) Affairs
- Mr. Balázs Győrffy – President of the Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture (NAK).
- Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
o Mr. Levente Magyar – State Secretary & Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
o Dr. Orsolya Pacsay-Tomassich – State Secretary: Hungarian Stipendium Hungaricum Program (Scholarships and Programs for Foreign Students)
- Dr. Zoltán Dubéczi – Secretary General of the Hungarian Rectors’ Conference
- Dep. Mayor of Debrecen
o Reps from EDC Debrecen Urban and Economic Development Centre
o Rector of the Protestant University of Debrecen - Deputy Minister of the Hungarian Finance Ministry
- Dr. Dávid Bencsik – Deputy State Secretary: Ministry of Agriculture – International Affairs
- Prof. Dr. István Szabó – Vice Rector: MATE University
o MATE – Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences - Various representatives from the private sector
Media Interview with Magyar Demokrata – News magazine & eNews
- Dr. Theo de Jager – Hungarian Media Interview
Social Media posts about the visit by the Solidarity Movement & Partners
- Jaco Kleynhans Twitter
- Ernst Roets Twitter
- Dr. Theo de Jager FaceBook
Social Media coverage in Hungary about the visit by the Solidarity Movement
Hungarian Agricultural Ministry – Dr. Dávid Bencsik FaceBook Post titled: “Vannak barátaink Dél-Afrikában is! We have friends in South Africa!” https://www.facebook.com/108094741380905/posts/146755520848160/?d=n
