'They made a mistake': Steenhuisen slams Afrikaners who fled to US
Steenhuisen was speaking at Nampo Harvest Day in Bothaville, Free State, on Friday.
'We can't determine where people live and what their life choices are. I think they've made a mistake,' he said.
'We are on the cusp of great things in South Africa with a new government, new energy and new growth initiatives. I think South Africa will start to take off in a major way and become the envy of the world.'
He expressed his commitment to supporting farm workers, farm owners and the agricultural industry, urging them to stay and contribute to the country's development.
'They will get my full attention and support during my time as a minister.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Warning: SA 'refugees' will be DEPORTED over lies, ommissions
South African 'refugees' who resettle in the US will face deportation if authorities discover they have lied or omitted important information during their application process. Errol Langton, one of the first successful applicants, made the revelation in an interview marking his first three months in his adoptive country. Langton – an IT technician and 'leafy green farmer' – is now living in Alabama. In February, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order, granting refuge to Afrikaners or 'minorities', over his claims of 'racial discrimination' in South Africa. Speaking to US intel expert Chris Wyatt, Afrikaner 'refugee' Errol Langton shared his experience on applying to the resettlement programme. The IT businessman shared that authorities had explicitly warned them not to lie or omit any critical information. He said: 'They made it very clear that if they do find that something was a lie or significant enough, you can be deported. 'Afrikaner refugee' Errol Langton has shared an update about his life in the US. Images via YouTube screenshot He added: 'Don't try to embellish or blow it up to more than it was. Tell simple, straightforward facts'. Wyatt added that 'acts of omission' could also have serious implications. In April, the US Embassy warned South African visa applicants: 'If you submit fake documents, you are committing fraud and risking your future. We stay one step ahead of document vendors and adapt to emerging threats.' It added: 'Protect your future travel opportunities – tell the truth and do not provide fake documents.' The US Embassy has updated its refugee status programme application and announced that communication will be coordinated by RSC Africa, which manages all US-bound applicants from Africa. Applicants must fill in a statement of interest form, detailing how they are 'persecuted' or fear threats of persecution. This will be based on several factors, including race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a social group. Applicants will be called in for an interview, which could take place in either Sandton or Tshwane. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.


The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
'Good life': Afrikaner 'refugee' shares update after US move
Errol Langton – an Afrikaner 'refugee' now living in the US – has shared an update about his life abroad. Almost three months ago, Langton was one of 49 white South Africans who applied for the refugee resettlement programme. In February, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order, granting refuge to Afrikaners or 'minorities', over his claims of 'racial discrimination' in South Africa. A second group of South Africans have since departed, with many more expected to follow. Speaking to US intel expert Chris Wyatt, 'Afrikaner refugee' Errol Langton shared an update about his life in his adoptive country. The IT businessman, who also owned a 'leafy green' farm, now lives in Birmingham, Alabama. In a clip posted on social media, Langton detailed the joys and challenges of the resettlement programme. Although his family members did not have social security numbers or a driver's license, they were covered by Medicaid for the first year of their stay. He also revealed how they had been temporarily provided financial assistance. Langton praised the 'efficient' government systems, particularly the healthcare. Despite the backlash of being labelled an 'Afrikaner refugee,' Langton revealed he had encountered helpful and friendly Americans. He said, 'People are very accommodating. People here want to help, they see the need, and they don't treat you like a leper. 'The kids have a good life here'. Of his frustrations, he said: 'The reality is that we're resettling our entire lives, and that's a huge challenge. There are some frustrations, but I downplay them, because I look at the positive'. During the clip, Errol Langton also addressed the backlash he's received after portraying himself as an 'Afrikaner refugee'. He said: 'I've been roasted in South Africa. People have said I'm not an Afrikaner, I'm not a farmer. It's not the case at all. The rhetoric and hate from that side is insane. Speaking to the New York Times, Langton claimed that he was a 'leafy greens' farmer from KwaZulu-Natal. However, his LinkedIn account listed his experience in the IT sector, where he owned a large business. Errol Langton is an Afrikaner 'refugee' who claims he was persecuted in South Africa. Images via Facebook: Errol Langton Many South Africans – including his stepdaughter – questioned his claims of being a 'farmer' and even an 'Afrikaner'. Some also called him 'opportunistic' for wanting to start again in another country, and in particular, a state – Alabama – where his own relatives immigrated to years ago. Speaking to eNCA's Annika Larson in June, Errol Langton rubbished reports that the group of 'refugees' consisted of white South African farmers. He said: 'That was never the mandate. It was minorities that were suffering persecution'. Of his own identity, he said: 'Yes, I'm an Afrikaner, yes, I'm a farmer. But by everybody else's decision? Maybe not so much'. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.


Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Eyewitness News
South African farmers on the frontline of US tariff hikes
ROBERTSON - As winter clouds gathered above South Africa's prime wine-producing Robertson valley, the mood has been sombre ahead of new US tariffs of 30% due to come into force next week. Much of South Africa's sparkling white wine, Cap Classique, comes from this area 150 kilometres east of Cape Town. The prized wine - produced with the same method as France's champagne - had previously been exempt from US tariffs under a special trade deal that protected many South African products, including citrus fruits, macadamia nuts and avocados. Washington announced late on Thursday that the new tariffs would take effect next week, as US President Donald Trump seeks to reshape global trade to benefit the US economy. In the weeks before the new levies were to take effect, the Graham Beck estate - a renowned Cap Classique producer - shipped out its entire annual quota for the US market of around 300,000 bottles, and even a little more, general manager Pieter Ferreira told AFP. "We realised, as a team, let's buy some time," Ferreira said, as farm workers wrapped in thick fleece pruned the vines outside. The aim was to have stock in place "that can see us out for the whole of this year without affecting our price points or price increases in the US," he said. The US market represents almost 15% of the annual production of the Graham Beck estate, which employs 135 people. This year's early export does not reassure Ferreira. "The crystal ball is very unclear for 2026," he said. Four PERCENT of South Africa's farming exports, worth nearly $600 million, are destined for the US market, according to the chamber of agriculture. 100,000 JOBS AT RISK More than 70% of arable land is still in the hands of the white minority decades after the end of apartheid, according to the latest figures from 2017, and it is these farmers who will be among the hardest hit by Trump's new tariffs. Many among them are Afrikaners, descendants of the first white settlers who Trump has falsely claimed are persecuted by government policies and targeted killings, leading him to take in around 50 as refugees in May. "It's not a racial divide as he is trying to make it look and sound like," Ferreira told AFP. "He says the government is not looking after the farmers and yet he is penalising the farmers by putting up tariffs of 30% on agricultural products... It's ridiculous," he said. The hiked tariffs could cost South Africa 100,000 jobs, according to the head of the central bank, Lesetja Kganyago. The continent's most industrialised economy is already struggling with an unemployment rate of nearly 33%. "The impact in agriculture could be quite devastating because agriculture employs a lot of low-skilled workers, and here the impact is on citrus fruit, table grapes and wines," Kganyago said on 702 Radio. Between 6% to 8% of South Africa's citrus production is sent to the United States. For farmers in Citrusdal, 200 kilometres north of Cape Town, this is an essential market and also tariff-free under the preferential African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). "At the moment it's about 25 to 30% of our business," said Gerrit van der Merwe among rows of oranges on his 1,000-hectare plot. DEATH OF A TOWN? Van der Merwe's family estate, ALG, employs around 2,000 people. "As an established business, we can survive this," he said. "We will probably have to cut off a couple of hectares, take two steps back, wait four or five years and then move forward." "But what is the reality? If we cut off 100 hectares, there's going to be 200 people looking for a job next year in Citrusdal," he said. The impact would be huge for the small rural town of fewer than 10,000 people, which is particularly busy at the July-August peak harvest period. "Citrus is the only source of income. So if we don't employ those 200 people, who will?" van der Merwe said. "And that's going to have a knock-on effect on the supermarket, the pharmacy, the clothing shops." "There's no point in just a farmer surviving while a small rural town is dead," he said. The farmer respected Trump's stated aim to bring industry back to the United States but said South African citrus was no threat. "We are offering something counter-seasonal, so we're not stealing jobs from California. We're offering a healthy piece of fruit at a very affordable price," he said.