Afrikaner Refugee Claims Baseless
Thabo Mosia
President Cyril Ramaphosa has rejected claims that Afrikaners are facing persecution in South Africa, calling allegations of “genocide” against white minorities baseless. Speaking on the sidelines of the African National Congress (ANC) Northern Cape provincial executive committee induction in Kimberley on Friday, Ramaphosa addressed the recent resettlement of 49 Afrikaners in the United States, who were granted refugee status by US President Donald Trump.
The President’s remarks come amid rising diplomatic tensions and ahead of a crucial meeting with Trump in Washington next week to mend strained relations and discuss trade.
No Genocide in South Africa, Says Ramaphosa
“We all know, as South Africans, both black and white, that there is no genocide here. We are not committing any act of hatred, act of retribution against or violence against anyone,” Ramaphosa said, dismissing claims that have fueled international controversy. “Every South African knows and agrees that there’s no genocide here. The false stories that have been perpetrated, are not true. They are not a reflection of who we are.”
The controversy erupted on 11 May 2025, when 49 Afrikaners, including families with young children, boarded a chartered flight from OR Tambo International Airport to Washington, DC. The group was welcomed at Dulles Airport by US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who claimed they had shared “harrowing” tales of violence in South Africa. Trump, backed by his Pretoria-born advisor Elon Musk, granted them refugee status, alleging they were victims of “racial discrimination” and a “genocide” linked to South Africa’s Land Expropriation Act.
Ramaphosa, speaking at the Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan on 12 May, had earlier told Trump in a phone call that these claims were “not true.” He emphasized South Africa’s history of inclusivity, noting, “We’re the only country on the continent where the colonizers came to stay and we have never driven them out of our country.” International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola supported this, stating that crime in South Africa affects all races, with most homicide victims being young Black men in urban areas, not white farmers.
Land Expropriation Act: Addressing Historical Injustices
The Expropriation Act, signed into law in January 2025, lies at the heart of the debate. Designed to address apartheid-era land disparities, it allows for land expropriation without compensation in rare cases, subject to judicial oversight. White South Africans, who make up 7.3% of the population, own 73% of farmland, while Black South Africans, 81% of the population, hold minimal land. No seizures have occurred yet, and Ramaphosa described it as a “constitutionally mandated legal process” akin to eminent domain laws in the US.
Critics like AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel have called the Act a “serious indictment” of the ANC, accusing the government of targeting Afrikaners through “discriminatory racial legislation.” Kriel also criticized the ANC’s stance on the “Kill the Boer” chant, ruled as free speech in 2022. However, Lamola noted that even Afrikaner groups like Solidarity have rejected Trump’s narrative, with Solidarity stating, “We love our country.” Official data shows farm murders (49 in 2023) account for less than 1% of South Africa’s 27,000 annual homicides, undermining claims of targeted violence.
Diplomatic Tensions and Trump’s Role
Tensions between Pretoria and Washington have escalated since Trump’s February 2025 executive order paused $440 million in US aid to South Africa and prioritized Afrikaners for refugee status. Over 8,200 Afrikaners have applied for the programme, with 100 vetted so far. Musk’s March 2025 X post, accusing the ANC of “actively promoting white genocide,” amplified the narrative, prompting Ramaphosa’s team to meet Musk to counter misinformation.
Trump has also threatened to skip the G20 Summit in South Africa in November unless the alleged “genocide” is addressed. On Monday, he claimed at a White House press conference that the Afrikaners were fleeing a “terrible situation” involving land grabs and killings. His administration has boycotted G20 preparatory meetings, and the White House National Security Council reportedly banned US agencies from G20-related work in South Africa, though Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said no official communication was received.
Ramaphosa’s Washington Visit: Trade and Truth
Ramaphosa will travel to Washington from 19-22 May 2025 for a high-stakes meeting with Trump on 21 May at the White House. The visit aims to reset bilateral relations, strengthen trade, and address false claims of Afrikaner persecution. Minister Ntshavheni, briefing the media on Thursday, expressed optimism for a “cordial and constructive” meeting. “We are expecting the highest level of decorum and necessary protocols to be accorded,” she said, dismissing fears that Trump might embarrass Ramaphosa.
Trade is a top priority, especially after Trump imposed a 30% tariff on South African goods, later suspended for 90 days. Ntshavheni confirmed Ramaphosa will present a trade package to benefit both nations, emphasizing, “There will be a deal. We will offer a package, and that package must be beneficial to South Africa.” She added, “We will not be bullied,” signaling South Africa’s firm stance in negotiations. The US is one of South Africa’s largest trading partners, with over 600 American companies, including Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, operating in the country.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile, speaking at the Africa Travel Indaba in Durban, invited Trump to visit South Africa to see its unity firsthand. “He will invite President Trump to come here so that he can see our beautiful country and see that there is no genocide here,” Mashatile said. “We are beautiful, happy people, black and white, working and living together.”
South African Voices: Unity Over Division
The ANC, Cosatu, EFF, and UDM have united in condemning the Afrikaner refugee claims. ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, on 13 May, called the US decision a “fabrication” to “delegitimise our democracy” and shield “right-wing, anti-transformation elements.” Cosatu’s Matthew Parks described the group as economic migrants, not refugees, urging them to represent South Africa well abroad. “They have the right to go, but they’re not refugees,” Parks said, noting South Africa’s challenges like crime and unemployment but rejecting persecution claims.
The EFF’s Poppy Mailola called for the group’s citizenship to be revoked, arguing their claims undermine South Africa’s support for Palestine at the International Court of Justice. The UDM’s Nqabayomzi Kwankwa labeled them as suffering from “apartheid nostalgia,” fleeing a country striving for justice. Prominent Afrikaner author Max du Preez called the resettlement “beyond absurd,” suggesting it was driven by financial motives or resistance to a post-apartheid society.
International Reactions and the Episcopal Church
The US Episcopal Church’s refusal to resettle the Afrikaners has added a new dimension to the saga. On Monday, the church announced it would end its $50 million refugee resettlement programme with the US government rather than comply with Trump’s directive, citing its commitment to “racial justice and reconciliation.” Presiding Bishop Sean W. Rowe criticized the preferential treatment of Afrikaners over other refugees waiting in camps. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly called the decision a betrayal of humanitarian values, claiming Afrikaners faced “unspeakable horrors.”
South Africa’s Challenges and Vision
South Africa faces significant challenges, including a 43% unemployment rate, stark inequality, and crime. Cosatu’s Parks acknowledged that the colour of one’s skin still largely determines career prospects, with white households earning 20 times more than Black ones. However, he stressed that most Afrikaners remain patriotic, rejecting false narratives of “white genocide” or “land grabs.” Social media reflects this divide, with some users supporting the Af “
rikaners’ departure due to economic fears, while others, like @SAUnityNow, call for collective solutions.
Ramaphosa’s vision, articulated at the Africa CEO Forum, emphasizes unity and transformation. He championed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and digital innovation, urging private sector investment in Africa’s $3.4 trillion market. His warm exchange with Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame signaled progress in African-led peace efforts, reinforcing South Africa’s commitment to continental leadership.
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