Department of Research, Studies and International News 10-02-2025

Despite an executive order signed by Donald Trump allowing white South Africans to seek refuge in the United States, many Afrikaners express reluctance to leave their homeland, choosing instead to address their grievances within South Africa.

Former US President Donald Trump recently issued an executive order aimed at facilitating the resettlement of white South Africans, specifically Afrikaners, in the United States as refugees. This initiative was framed as an effort to assist individuals who are, in Trump’s view, victims of racial discrimination in their home country. However, the response from Afrikaner communities and right-wing white advocacy groups in South Africa has been largely unenthusiastic. Instead of seizing the opportunity to relocate, many have reiterated their determination to remain in the country and fight for what they believe to be their rights.

Trump’s directive, signed on Friday, also included provisions to reduce US financial aid to South Africa. He justified this move by pointing to a controversial land expropriation bill that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had signed the previous month. The legislation seeks to correct historical injustices related to land ownership, an issue rooted in South Africa’s colonial and apartheid past, by making it easier for the government to redistribute land.

Under Trump’s executive order, Afrikaners, descendants of early Dutch and French settlers who make up a significant portion of the country’s white farming community, were specifically named as potential beneficiaries of refugee status in the US. However, many of those whom the order was meant to assist have shown little interest in emigrating.

Afrikaner Advocacy Groups Dismiss Trump’s Offer

The ANC and its allies have dismissed Trump’s claims of racial discrimination against white South Africans, accusing him of echoing the narrative of AfriForum, a prominent Afrikaner rights group that has been vocal about what it perceives as injustices against the white minority. However, despite its longstanding concerns about land reform and affirmative action policies, even AfriForum has distanced itself from Trump’s resettlement initiative.

Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, stated that while his organization acknowledges certain challenges faced by Afrikaners in South Africa, emigrating en masse to the United States is not a desirable or practical solution.

“Leaving South Africa would mean sacrificing our descendants’ cultural identity as Afrikaners, and that is simply too high a price to pay,” Kriel asserted on Saturday.

Another influential organization, the Solidarity Movement, an umbrella body that includes AfriForum and the Solidarity trade union, claiming to represent approximately 600,000 Afrikaner families and a total of two million individuals, also rejected the notion of mass emigration.

“We have significant disagreements with the ANC, but that does not mean we wish to abandon our homeland,” the Solidarity Movement stated. “While some individuals may choose to emigrate for personal reasons, seeking refugee status in the US is not a solution that aligns with our community’s values or aspirations.”

The Afrikaner enclave of Orania, a small, self-sustaining community established to preserve Afrikaner heritage and culture, also dismissed Trump’s proposal.

“Afrikaners are not refugees. We remain deeply committed to our homeland,” representatives from Orania declared.

A Divisive Debate with Global Implications

Trump’s executive order and the subsequent debate surrounding it highlight the complexities of South Africa’s post-apartheid challenges, particularly regarding land reform and racial reconciliation. While the issue of land ownership remains highly contentious, most Afrikaners appear unwilling to abandon their country, preferring to engage in domestic efforts to address their grievances rather than seeking asylum abroad.

At the same time, the controversy underscores how South Africa’s internal struggles can become entangled in international politics. Trump’s move has fueled accusations that he is intervening in South Africa’s affairs for political gain, particularly given his history of inflammatory rhetoric on race and immigration.

Regardless of political motivations, one thing remains clear: the vast majority of white South Africans are choosing to stay put, reaffirming their ties to the country they call home.