In a surprising response to Donald Trump’s recent immigration proposal aimed at white South Africans facing alleged persecution, many have expressed their reluctance to accept such offers. Trump’s plan to resettle white South Africans as refugees may not generate the anticipated influx, as even right-wing white advocacy groups emphasize the need to address the inequities of Black majority rule within their own country.
On Friday, Trump signed an executive order to reduce U.S. aid to South Africa, citing a new expropriation act signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. This law aims to rectify historical land ownership disparities rooted in South Africa’s legacy of white supremacy, enabling the government to more easily expropriate land for the public good. Ramaphosa has defended this initiative as a necessary step toward justice.
Statistics show that white individuals constitute approximately 7.2% of South Africa’s population of 63 million, though specific data on the Afrikaner demographic is not available. Historically, the British colonial government allocated most agricultural land to white settlers, and during the apartheid era, the National Party appropriated 85% of land, displacing millions of Black South Africans.
The African National Congress (ANC), the leading party in the governing coalition, has criticized Trump for perpetuating misinformation spread by AfriForum, an Afrikaner-led organization that previously lobbied the Trump administration. AfriForum’s CEO, Kallie Kriel, stated that the organization would not accept the immigration offer, asserting that emigration could compromise the cultural identity of Afrikaners, a sacrifice deemed too steep for many.
The Solidarity Movement, which encompasses AfriForum and the Solidarity trade union and claims to represent about 600,000 Afrikaner families, expressed their dedication to South Africa despite political disagreements with the ANC. They stated, “While we may not see eye to eye with the ANC, our love for our country remains unwavering. Emigrating as refugees is not a viable solution for us.”
Representatives from Orania, a self-contained Afrikaner community, echoed these sentiments, affirming their commitment to their homeland. “Afrikaners do not wish to be refugees. We cherish and are devoted to our land,” they remarked.
Although some individuals acknowledged Trump’s offer as a thoughtful gesture, others found humor in the situation, reflecting a complex mix of feelings among the community regarding their identity and future in South Africa.
