In Cape Town, South Africa, the U.S. administration has initiated the relocation of a select group of white South Africans to the United States as refugees. This program is said to be in response to the alleged persecution of the Afrikaner minority by South Africa’s Black-led government, claims that the South African government fervently denies.
Recently, 59 white South Africans had their refugee applications accelerated by the United States following an announcement by President Donald Trump. He stated that the Afrikaner farmers are facing a “genocide” in their home country. This assertion has been strongly countered by the South African authorities, pointing out that Afrikaners are among the country’s wealthiest and most successful. They underscore that Afrikaners are a significantly privileged economic group.
Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch and French settlers from the 17th century, number about 2.7 million in South Africa, which has a majority Black population exceeding 80%. Afrikaners are well-integrated into the nation’s cultural and economic life, and some hold governmental positions. The Afrikaans language, which originates from the Afrikaner community, is widely spoken and is recognized as one of the official languages.
The issue of farm attacks has been central to the U.S. allegations of persecution. Trump and his advisor Elon Musk have accused the South African government of enabling anti-white sentiments. They argue that violent crimes occurring on farms, predominantly owned by white individuals, are racially motivated. These claims are contested by South African officials who insist that these attacks are part of a larger, non-discriminatory crime issue.
Statistics on farm-related homicides indicate that they are a small proportion of the annual violent crime incidents in South Africa, which see over 20,000 homicides per year across all communities. South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola has stated firmly that there’s a lack of evidence supporting claims of Afrikaner persecution and notes that crimes affect South Africans of all races.
The Trump administration’s critical examination of South Africa’s affirmative action policies also extends to concerns about “reverse racism” impacting the Afrikaner community. These policies were designed to rectify historical disenfranchisement and ensure fair opportunities for the Black majority.
While Afrikaners are a significant white minority in South Africa, they are not alone in this demographic. The country also hosts white populations of British descent, and other racial groups, including individuals of biracial heritage and those with Indian or South Asian lineage. Recently, the U.S. broadened its refugee application criteria to include any racial minority in South Africa alongside Afrikaners.
The processing of such refugee applications remains unclear, but the United States has expressed intentions to continue accommodating Afrikaners as part of this relocation initiative in upcoming months.