in this regard.10 Business confidence is at a record low,11 while political assassinations are becoming prevalent.12 Racial scapegoating is used to deflect attention from these issues. The role of, for example, the British public relations company Bell Pottinger, has by now become public knowledge.13 Thus politicians and populists polarise the South African community, leaving radicals to believe that violence committed against minorities can be justified. This is even more true of the white, Afrikaner community, because of the history of apartheid. The latter came to an end in 1994, but a whole generation is still being held accountable for a system they had no hand in. Restitution has become retribution. AfriForum and AfriForum Youth’s endeavours to improve the situation Both organisations believe in getting actively involved to effect a positive change in the country. To do so, they also forge relationships with other local and international communities. Some examples of their projects and activities are mentioned below: 1. The dysfunctional education system Actions are undertaken at several levels. In individual cases, like that of the community desiring a school mentioned above, but also when it comes to issues of national significance, like the proposed new legislation, AfriForum obtains legal advice and support all affected by the travesty in question. Both organisations play an active role to inform communities about the importance of mother-language education – sometimes by means of projects with a lighter approach, like video clips or theatre productions, at other times by means of lectures, the publication of research results, pamphlets, etc. Misappropriation of funding is identified, investigated and the responsible parties are held accountable. The right of communities to participate in the management of schools, including the right to decide on a school’s language and access policy are defended and alternative private schooling systems are being investigated at all levels. Affordable private education is supported. AfriForum and AfriForum Youth also develop youth leadership by means of debating competitions, lectures, anti-bullying campaigns and teacher support campaigns. 2. Unemployment AfriForum helps young South Africans to develop entrepreneurial skills in an effort to help them become self-reliant. Race-based systems detrimental to employment of candidates who are not only the best suited to a job, but also able to stimulate the economy via their employment, are actively opposed 10. https://www.biznews.com/global-citizen/2017/10/19/peter-hain-uk-govt-zuma-guptas/; http://www.bbc.com/news/business-41835937. 11. http://ewn.co.za/2017/09/06/sa-s-business-confidence-at-lowest-in-over-30-years. 12. https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/former-anc-branch-chair-gunned-down-whiledelivering-food-to-kzn-school-20171120. 13. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05b8njy; http://www.bbc.com/news/business-41151361. 5