Maimane Dismisses Genocide Claims
By Mpho Moloi
In a pointed rebuke of U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent decision to expedite citizenship for white Afrikaner farmers, Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane has dismissed claims of a “white genocide” in South Africa as unfounded and politically motivated. Maimane warns that such narratives not only misrepresent the realities on the ground but also risk undermining South Africa’s sovereignty and social cohesion.
Trump’s Controversial Policy Sparks Global Debate
On May 12, 2025, the Trump administration welcomed the first group of 59 white South Africans, primarily Afrikaners, to the United States under a new refugee program. Citing alleged persecution and land expropriation without compensation, President Trump had earlier signed an executive order to freeze U.S. aid to South Africa and offer expedited citizenship to these individuals.  
The move has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, including human rights organizations and South African officials, who argue that the claims of targeted persecution against white farmers are exaggerated and lack empirical evidence. 
Maimane: “We Must Set the Record Straight”
In an interview addressing the issue, Maimane emphasized the importance of unity and factual accuracy:
“We must ask the question about what it does mean to be a South African… when people define themselves outside of that and feel that they can be a special group or outside the interests of the country, this ought to concern us.”
He further criticized those spreading misinformation:
“We must deem those… who leave the country and spread disinformation about the country as acting against the interests of the country.”
Dissecting the “White Genocide” Narrative
Experts and analysts have consistently refuted the notion of a “white genocide” in South Africa. While farm attacks are a serious concern, data indicates that these crimes are part of broader issues related to crime and inequality, affecting all communities regardless of race. 
The South African government’s land reform policies, including the Expropriation Act of 2024, aim to address historical injustices by redistributing land in a manner that is just and equitable. The act allows for land expropriation without compensation under specific circumstances, such as abandoned or unused properties, and is not targeted at any racial group.  
Diplomatic Tensions and the Path Forward
President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet with President Trump on May 21 to discuss the escalating tensions between the two nations. The South African government has expressed its commitment to engaging in constructive dialogue to clarify misconceptions and reinforce bilateral relations. 
Maimane underscores the importance of this meeting:
“The meeting with President Ramaphosa and President Trump is absolutely vital… we need to set the record straight and deal with the issues that are perhaps maybe not being consumed.”
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