29 September 2025
Blaai af vir Afrikaanse weergawe.
The Free Market Foundation (FMF) this Saturday celebrated its Golden Jubilee at the Bryanston Country Club, marking 50 years of advocacy for individual liberty, private property, free enterprise, and limited constitutional government since its founding in 1975.
The event’s master of ceremonies was FMF Chairperson Gail Daus-Van Wyk, and included presentations on the history and continued work of the Foundation by FMF President Temba A Nolutshungu, FMF CEO David Ansara, Adv Mark Oppenheimer, FMF Board members Wilhelm Hertzog and Dr Brian Benfield, Head of the Khaya Lam Project Terry Markman, FMF Head of Operations Gail Day, and FMF Head of Policy Martin van Staden.
A proud heritage
The FMF was established in mid-August 1975 amidst an ever-greater desire by the government of the day to control market forces.
When asked about the FMF’s view of Apartheid at the time, the first Chairperson of the Foundation, Lou Sher, said the FMF “would like to see restrictions on the movement and use of labour, capital, and goods, phased out wherever possible.” He continued, noting, “we believe that the fewer restrictions the better, and that all races should be able to compete freely in all sectors.”
Professor Stephan du Toit Viljoen, the first President of the Foundation and Chairman of the Bantu Investment Corporation, later repeated this sentiment.
“Around its founding, the FMF said that it ‘is the only organisation in the Republic with the singular goal of advancing capitalism’,” says Martin van Staden.
“That remains true today. With the launch of the 2025 Economic Freedom of the World annual report last week, it was reaffirmed that capitalism is not only the most moral method of economic organisation, but the one that generates the most prosperity for all, especially the poor.”
The fight continues
“We must be frank about the situation in this country. There are many threats to liberty, including land confiscation, violent crime, absurdly high levels of taxation, and an overbearing regulatory state,” says David Ansara.
“Whatever South Africa’s future may be, the FMF believes – as we have always believed – that people can achieve prosperity and human flourishing if they are set free from unjustified coercion. Other countries have come back from the brink, and so has South Africa. We can do so again.”
Ends.
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Vryemarkstigting vier 50 jaar van die bevordering van vryheid
29 September 2025
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Die Vryemarkstigting (FMF) het Saterdag sy Goue Jubileum by die Bryanston Country Club gevier, en daarmee 50 jaar van voorspraak vir individuele vryheid, privaateiendom, vrye onderneming, en beperkte konstitusionele regering sedert sy stigting in 1975 gemerk.
Die seremoniemeester van die geleentheid was FMF Voorsitter Gail Daus-Van Wyk, en dit het aanbiedings oor die geskiedenis en voortgesette werk van die Stigting ingesluit deur FMF President Temba A Nolutshungu, FMF Hoof Uitvoerende Beampte David Ansara, Adv Mark Oppenheimer, FMF direksielede Wilhelm Hertzog en Dr Brian Benfield, Hoof van die Khaya Lam Projek Terry Markman, FMF Operasionele Hoof Gail Day, en FMF Beleidshoof Martin van Staden.
‘n Trotse erfenis
Die FMF is in middel Augustus 1975 gestig te midde van ’n toenemende begeerte deur die regering van daardie tyd om markkragte te beheer.
Toe daar gevra is na die FMF se siening van Apartheid destyds, het die eerste Voorsitter van die Stigting, Lou Sher, gesê die FMF “wil graag sien dat beperkings op die beweging en gebruik van arbeid, kapitaal, en goedere, waar moontlik uitgefaseer word.” Hy het voortgegaan en opgemerk, “ons glo dat hoe minder beperkings, hoe beter, en dat alle rasse vrylik in alle sektore moet kan meeding.”
Professor Stephan du Toit Viljoen, die eerste President van die Stigting en Voorsitter van die Bantoe-Beleggingskorporasie, het later hierdie sentiment herhaal.
“Rondom sy stigting het die FMF gesê dat dit ‘die enigste organisasie in die Republiek is met die uitsluitlike doel om kapitalisme te bevorder’,” sê Martin van Staden.
“Dit bly vandag waar. Met die bekendstelling van die 2025 Economic Freedom of the World jaarverslag verlede week, is dit herbevestig dat kapitalisme nie net die mees morele metode van ekonomiese organisasie is nie, maar ook die een wat die meeste welvaart vir almal, veral die armes, genereer.”
Die stryd duur voort
“Ons moet eerlik wees oor die situasie in die land. Daar is baie bedreigings vir vryheid, insluitend grondkonfiskering, gewelddadige misdaad, absurd hoë vlakke van belasting, en ’n oormatige regulerende staat,” sê David Ansara.
“Wat ook al Suid-Afrika se toekoms mag wees, die FMF glo – soos ons altyd geglo het – dat mense welvaart en fluorering kan bereik as hulle vrygemaak word van ongeregtigde dwang. Ander lande het al van die afgrond teruggekom, en Suid-Afrika ook. Ons kan dit wéér doen.”
Einde.
