Cape Independence Party

This article is about a political party, for the movement see Cape independence.
Cape Independence Party - CAPEXIT
AbbreviationCAPEXIT
LeaderJack Miller
Founded2007
HeadquartersCape Town
IdeologyCape independence
Direct democracy
Right-libertarianism[1]
ColoursBlue, White and Red
     
SloganIT'S TIME FOR CAPEXIT
Cape Town City Council
2 / 231
Party flag
Website
www.capeparty.com

The Cape Independence Party (CAPEXIT) (Afrikaans: Kaapse Onafhanklikheids Party), previously called the Cape Party, is a political party in South Africa which seeks to use all constitutional and legal means to bring about Cape independence, which includes the entire Western Cape, Northern Cape (excluding two districts),[2] six municipalities in the Eastern Cape, and one municipality in the Free State.[3] The area includes all municipalities in those provinces with an Afrikaans-speaking majority. In 2009, it was claimed to have had a membership of approximately 1,000 people across South Africa, but official membership figures are not made public.[4][5] The party currently holds two seats on the Cape Town City Council.

It is registered with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and was on the provincial ballot of the Western Cape in the South African general elections of 2009, where it received 2,552 votes.[6][7] It again contested in the municipal elections of 2016, where it received 4,473 votes.[8] In the elections of 2019, it received 9,331 votes.

The party did not compete in the 2024 South African general election after failing to meet the IEC's new signature requirements as stipulated in the 2023 Electoral Amendment Bill.[9] Fellow pro-independence parties, the Freedom Front Plus (FF+)[10] and newly formed Referendum Party (RP)[11] did contest the elections.

  1. ^ Vegter, Ivo (21 October 2019). "Dreaming of a Cape Republic: Secession may promise liberal salvation, but faces high hurdles". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  2. ^ "CitizenX: Cape Party Manifesto". CitizenX. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
  3. ^ "FAQs". Cape Party. Archived from the original on 25 April 2009. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Cape must secede from SA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Alec, Hogg (14 March 2017). "Is the Cape Party onto something – could it become SA's UKIP?". Biznews.com.
  6. ^ "Final List of Parties to contest the 2009 Elections". Polity.org.za. 11 March 2009. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  7. ^ "Final Results for Western Cape Elections". politicsweb.co.za. 25 April 2009. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  8. ^ Smook, Ella (25 March 2011). "Cape Party to Keep Fighting – Western Cape – IOL". Independent Online. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  9. ^ Charles, Marvin. "Elections 2024: Cape Independence Party loses court bid to appear on ballot paper". News24. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  10. ^ Dentlinger, Lindsay. "WC independence on FF Plus' agenda should it win majority of votes in province". EWN. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  11. ^ Charles, Marvin. "ANC fumes as Referendum Party's 'secessionist vigilantes' block R62 between Eastern Cape, Western Cape". News24. Retrieved 19 May 2024.