President Donald Trump has signed an executive order allowing white South Africans, particularly Afrikaners, to resettle in the U.S. as refugees. However, many Afrikaner groups and right-wing organizations reject the offer, opting instead to fight for their interests within South Africa.
Trump’s decision follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent signing of an expropriation law aimed at redressing historic land inequalities. The law makes it easier for the state to expropriate land for public interest without direct compensation.
In response, Trump cut U.S. aid to South Africa, accusing the African National Congress (ANC) government of implementing policies that unfairly target white landowners. The U.S. order specifically offers refugee status to Afrikaners facing “unjust racial discrimination.”
Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch and French settlers, still own most of South Africa’s farmland, despite making up a small fraction of the population.
Afrikaner Groups Reject Trump’s Resettlement Offer
While some individuals welcomed the offer, major Afrikaner organizations dismissed it, emphasizing their commitment to staying in South Africa.
- AfriForum, a prominent Afrikaner civil rights group, rejected the proposal. CEO Kallie Kriel stated that “Emigration means sacrificing Afrikaner cultural identity, which is too high a price to pay.”
- The Solidarity Movement, representing 600,000 Afrikaner families, also declined, saying, “We may disagree with the ANC, but we love our country.”
- Orania, a self-sustaining Afrikaner-only town, reinforced its stance, stating, “Afrikaners do not want to be refugees. We are committed to our homeland.”
Some Afrikaners Appreciate the Gesture
Despite the broad rejection, some Afrikaners acknowledged Trump’s gesture.
- Werner van Niekerk, 57, a carpenter, called it “a very nice gesture,” though he did not confirm whether he would relocate.
- Neville van der Merwe, 78, questioned the need to leave, stating that “there hasn’t been any major land grab, and life continues as normal.”
Meanwhile, South Africans mocked the offer on social media, with author Pieter du Toit jokingly asking, “Is there a test to prove your Afrikanership? Will Elon Musk help with startup cash on the other side?”
ANC Dismisses Trump’s Claims
The ANC dismissed Trump’s narrative, accusing him of spreading misinformation fueled by AfriForum’s lobbying. Ramaphosa has defended the expropriation policy, stating that it aims to correct historical injustices while ensuring fair economic redistribution.
Since the end of apartheid, South Africa’s land policies have focused on reform through negotiation rather than forced seizures. However, Trump’s order fuels a perception of persecution among some white South Africans, despite land expropriation remaining a legislative rather than a violent process.
As South Africa grapples with land redistribution debates, it remains unclear how many Afrikaners, if any, will take up Trump’s offer.
