A group of 49 Afrikaners is expected to leave South Africa for the United States on a chartered flight, after being granted refugee status by the US government. The move has sparked a diplomatic standoff between Pretoria and Washington, with accusations of sovereignty violations and political manipulation.
The 54 Afrikaners, who were initially cleared for relocation, claim they are victims of persecution in South Africa—a claim strongly refuted by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration. By Sunday, 49 of them were awaiting departure at OR Tambo International Airport, pending final vetting for any outstanding criminal cases.
SA Government Hits Back
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya criticized the US government’s decision, particularly its use of the term “refugee,” calling it a direct affront to South Africa’s sovereignty.
“Disturbingly, one has to admit that our sovereignty as a country is being grossly undermined and violated by the US,” Magwenya said.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) also condemned the move, stating that alleged discrimination against Afrikaners does not meet international thresholds for refugee status.
“These claims are politically motivated and do not constitute persecution under international law,” DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said.
Personal Stories and Uncertainty
Some of those leaving described life in South Africa as hopeless.
Kirsten Van Deventer (48), an unemployed mother, expressed desperation:
“I have no work… I can’t feed my children. I don’t know if this country will let me leave.”
Meisie van Tonder (38) from the Free State added:
“I don’t want to go, but my husband is not happy here. We don’t know what the future holds.”
Despite the controversy, the US Department of Health and Human Services confirmed it would provide housing, groceries, and furnishings to the Afrikaners once they arrive in America.
Trump-Ramaphosa Tensions
The controversy comes amid existing tensions between President Ramaphosa and former US President Donald Trump, who reportedly supported the Afrikaners’ claims of persecution. Ramaphosa and Trump have agreed to meet to ease growing strain, especially after the US’s unilateral decision to grant asylum.
Analysts, AfriForum, and Accusations
International relations expert Dr. John Molepo said this move could further deteriorate US-SA diplomatic relations, already strained by South Africa’s stance on Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Political analyst Sandile Swana questioned the legitimacy of the refugee status granted:
“There’s no verifiable ethnic persecution of Afrikaners in South Africa… unlike refugees fleeing from warzones such as the DRC or Eritrea.”
AfriForum, often accused of lobbying international support with claims of “white genocide,” acknowledged awareness of the US relocation plan but denied involvement in the selection process.
Spokesperson Ernst van Zyl stated the organization was not privy to the details, but critics argue AfriForum’s past influence on Trump-era narratives played a role in shaping perceptions abroad.
