Latest news with #CharlKleinhaus
Mail & Guardian
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Welcome to America
Anti-African: In Donald Trump's America, 32 out of Africa's 53 countries already face a US travel ban, or a threat of one. Photo: Supplied I've been neglecting my creativity column for a while, and here's why: my attention has been hijacked by the swift decay of my other country, my original country, and if you don't know me personally and haven't heard my accent, let me give you a hint to which that is: the one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for some, that used to, sometimes, inspire other nations around the world to greatness. Those days have ended rapidly, like a kiloton bomb dropped from a tall tower hitting the pavement in the middle of a city we once admired. Step by step with the frenetic speed of a cocaine polka, we have seen the remarkably intentional decline of American exceptionalism in the name of — what, exactly? Saving the nation from brown people? My fiancée, a Shona woman, says MAGA ought really to be MAWA — Make America White Again. Trumpism is not strictly a political project, in other words, but also, or perhaps primarily, a racial one. As evidence of this, note that the only people granted special refugee status under the Trump administration are our own group of 59 'persecuted' white farmers, some of whom are not even farmers, and none of whom have been persecuted under any realistic definition. One, Charl Kleinhaus, is the chief executive of a mining company. Many have surely made this move to get a US passport and a relocation bonus that includes furniture, housing, a pre-paid phone, and even groceries. Yes, groceries, which is a real benefit since their prices continue to rise in blessed America, even as Trump claims they are coming down. He also said on Liberation Day that the term groceries is old-fashioned yet beautiful. But that's another story. Meanwhile, legions of refugees from countries previously considered a priority such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan and Afghanistan are now being blocked, and Latino immigrants, including some in the US for years, are being deported to countries they're not even from. Trump, as we know, subjected our own president to the indignity of being shown a series of clips of Julius Malema singing Shoot the Boer and other irrelevant provocations, to prove there is rampant white genocide in our republic, although in the end it will be Trump who may be humiliated when some of our friends return home, proverbial tail between legs, begging for forgiveness. Meanwhile, this same administration has instituted travel bans against 12 countries with brown-skinned majorities, as if this will stop the acceleration of its non-white population. Seven of these 12 are in Africa. Do the maths. An additional three dozen have now been threatened with similar bans if they don't shape up by mid-August. There are too many in this group to conclude what they are doing wrong in common, but here's a hint: 25 are in Africa. This means that a total of 32 of our continent's 53 countries are either being stopped from visiting the Land of the Free, or under threat of it. Africa has only an eighth of the world's population, yet two-thirds of the ban. Clearly, we are very bad hombres. This affects me personally, with my Zimbabwean fiancée on the brink of being forbidden to visit me, never mind what this short-term block might mean for her long-term green card prospects. Otherwise, no great loss, perhaps. Who would want to go to America now? Only someone who wants to experience what it's like during the rise of a fascist dictatorship, which admittedly could be educational. I only came to South Africa in 1998, so I missed our own version by a few years. In a perverse way, living under Trump's rising autocracy might at least be entertaining. South Africa is not on the exclusion list for now. But keep your fingers crossed. We are strictening our visa policy and, by September, visas at the border will be no longer. America may see the home affairs department's move, though applying to everyone around the world, as targeted at it alone, as it does with everything. And then, Marco Rubio's department of state, viewing this as a personal affront, might just vindictively add South Africa to the list of egregious offenders. Ironically, the illusory white genocide keeps us safer, because Washington must hold the doors open to more aspiring Boer-Americans. Since nationality trumps (no pun intended) race in such things, even if for purely administrative reasons, as philosophically and politically abhorrent as the white genocide story is, the situation is positive in a way. Me personally? I can go back and forth without a visa either way, being a dual citizen. Once, my presidents were Trump and Jacob Zuma. Now Trump, for one, is back again. And so I will use this status to infiltrate via my family's beachhead in Long Island, and send back reports. If my adopted country evades a future travel ban to keep the door open for MAWA's bigger needs, let's perhaps be grateful for the functional benefit of letting these apostates through the gates. As long as the narrative of white South Africans needing political asylum holds, as reprehensible a story as it tells, this sort of reverse fronting policy leaves us off of the list of pariahs for the foreseeable future. On the other hand, given what's going on, we might prefer, spiritually, to be on such a list. With America busy nudging us toward World War III, maybe we'd rather be publicly identified as personae non gratae in that culture. Given that our own future may, shockingly, be tied to the success of our erstwhile refugees across the shining sea, I was thinking it might be useful for us to find out where things stand with them. Where are they now? What's become of them since landing in Atlanta? Why did the government choose one of the blackest cities in the country for their entry? Are they tilling the fields of rural Georgia, or living in Athens row houses or Savannah penthouses? Are they blending in, or sticking out like sore veld transplants? Are they driving tractors now, or Teslas? Is their preferred trauma therapy ploughing peanuts in Tifton or playing golf in Augusta? How many others might join them later? Have any already come back home, disillusioned? Do their LinkedIn profiles now label them as global agricultural executives? Was it all just a media opportunity, or will this, alongside the travel ban, become long-term US policy? There are so many questions. Admittedly, I have a personal interest here as well. My fiancée is short steps away from being naturalised as a member of Mzansi. Keeping South Africa off Trump's naughty list might just save our marriage. Look out for my next column from the land of the free, to find out more. Michael Lee is the Mail & Guardian's US correspondent currently based in New York.
The South African
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Afrikaner refugee's priviledged life in SA irks Americans
Two prominent US actors have reacted to a Dan Corder video criticising Afrikaner 'refugee' Charl Kleinhaus's privileged life in South Africa. The TV and radio personality called out the Mpumalanga businessman's claim of 'persecution' on the basis of his race. Last week, Kleinhaus claimed he left behind a 'five-bedroom house ' and, ironically, his mother in his desperate quest to flee the country. Over the weekend, Dan Corder posted a clip of him criticising Afrikaner 'refugee' Charl Kleinhaus. This comes after Kleinhaus – a Mpumalanga businessman – told the BBC that he had left behind a 'five-bedroom house' after he was 'threatened' by his community. 'If you are white, you are wrong in South Africa. I had nothing to do with Apartheid – nothing, nothing, nothing!', the 'refugee' said. In recent days, Charl Kleinhaus has been fingered by internet sleuths as being a well-connected granite mining entrepreneur. Social media users have also questioned the circumstances surrounding his departure as well as his motive of becoming an 'Afrikaner refugee'. Dan Corder also called out Kleinhaus for his anti-Semitic and Islamophobic past tweets, which the latter has defended. Corder's video was reposted by outspoken US actor and comedian DL Hughley. It was also liked by Oscar-winning screen star Viola Davis, who often shows love for South Africa on her own Instagram account. 'All this here', Hughley captioned the post. He later reposted a clip of social media commentator Pieter Kriel, who has been outspoken about the 'misinformation' spread by white South Africans. View this post on Instagram A post shared by realdlhughley (@realdlhughley) Meanwhile, another American is accusing President Donald Trump of showing 'preferential treatment' to white South Africans, or 'Afrikaner refugees'. TikToker @awondthegod3, who helps feed homeless Americans, has repeatedly criticised Trump's 'America First' stance. This comes after Trump's administration halted the refugee resettlement programme to other countries. He posted on one TikTok: 'Trump denied over 12 000 TRUE REFUGEES asylum, with his ban on immigration. Some of them had flights booked and had been waiting for years. 'What did it take for those South African, unvetted, alleged refugees to get a chartered flight to collect benefits?' He added: 'There's privilege in the air'. 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.
IOL News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Charl Kleinhaus: Afrikaner 'refugee' in the US mingled with Jacob Zuma and headed mining company
Afrikaner 'refugee' Charl Kleinhaus, who is currently in asylum in the US recently opened up about how awful it was to leave behind his five-bedroom house and mother in South Africa while fleeing racial persecution. However, there may be cracks in his story as pictures have emerged of Kleinhaus rubbing shoulders with one of the most powerful people in the country, former president Jacob Zuma. It is unclear what the photo op with the uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK Party) leader was about but, the online rumour mill is spinning. Citizen sleuths dug into the refugee's past to uncover a life of wealth and comfort which contradicts Kleinhaus's claims. "I had to leave a five-bedroom house which I will lose now because I'm not going to pay for it. I also left my car behind, my dogs, and my mother. I didn't come here for fun. But my children are safe. If you're white, you're wrong in South Africa," Kleinhaus told BBC.
The South African
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Afrikaner 'refugee': 'I left a 5 bedroom house behind'
South African businessman Charl Kleinhaus has confessed to leaving a life of privilege behind to become an Afrikaner 'refugee' now living in the US. This week, 49 white South Africans arrived in America under President Donald Trump's resettlement programme. Kleinhaus – who owns a granite mining company in Limpopo – has also made headlines over his past antiSemitic social media posts. Speaking to the BBC, Charl Kleinhaus spoke about leaving his life in South Africa. He also responded to allegations by the public that Afrikaner 'refugees' were 'opportunistic'. He said: 'I had to leave a five-bedroom house which I will now lose, my car, my dogs, and my mother behind. I didnt come here for fun. But my children are safe'. He added, 'If you are white, you are wrong in South Africa. I had nothing to do with Apartheid – nothing, nothing, nothing! 'People must think we are taking advantage of this. We are coming here to make a contribution to the country'. During the interview, Kleinhaus claimed that as an Afrikaner businessman, he had received 'threatening' messages from his community in Limpopo. He also claimed that his equipment had been destroyed and that police could not assist him. ANTI-SEMITIC POSTS Charl Kleinhaus also touched on the backlash that has made headlines for making antiSemitic comments on social media. In 2023, the Afrikaner 'refugee' posted on X (formerly Twitter): 'Jews are untrustworthy and a dangerous group.' Kleinhaus claimed that he had 'copied and pasted' the comments from another X account. He added that at the time he was also in hospital 'on morphine'. On the X platform, Charl Kleinhaus's interview caused a stir, given the backlash to Afrikaner 'refugees' arriving in the US. @igorm365: 'If living in a five-bedroom house is real persecution, what is living in a shack then?' @Cthulhucachoo: 'What kind of man leaves his mother behind in an active genocide zone? She gave birth to you, and this is how you repay her?' @Mamhayise123: 'Bro doesn't afford bond anymore. He decided to run'. @CrutiFi: 'Why is Elon Musk leaving his father in a country with a white genocide?' 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.
IOL News
16-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Afrikaner 'refugee' in the US: 'I left my five-bedroom house, dogs and mother behind'
Leaving behind a mansion: An Afrikaner's journey to the US as a refugee. Image: Screenshot/BBC An Afrikaner man who is part of the 49 people who went over to the US as 'refugees' has spoken out about how devastating it was to leave behind his five bedroom home and other possessions while fleeing from racial persecution in South Africa. Speaking to the BBC, Charl Kleinhaus told the media outlet that he did not go over to the US for fun but that rather, he had no choice in the matter. "I had to leave a five-bedroom house which I will lose now because I'm not going to pay for it. I also left my car behind, my dogs, and my mother. I didn't come here for fun. But my children are safe. If you're white, you're wrong in South Africa," Kleinhaus said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The 'refugee' went on to say that white people are called land thieves and racist in the country. "I had nothing to do with apartheid. Nothing." Kleinhaus, however, enjoyed being welcomed by the Donald Trump administration and said that everyone who agreed to go to the US will have to start over as they have left their wealth here in the country. This is how the US government will assist in resettling families: Legal entry and work authorisation: Refugees gain lawful US entry and immediate work permission via a Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) and an Employment Authorization Document. Resettlement assistance: The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) will provide the Afrikaners with initial housing, job placement, and school enrolment support through resettlement agencies. Financial and medical aid: Eligible refugees access Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) for up to four months (post-May 2025 arrivals), covering basic needs like food and healthcare. Federal benefits like Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may also apply. Family reunification: Within two years, the Afrikaner refugees can file Form I-730 to petition for spouses and unmarried children under 21 to join them in the US. Path to permanent residency: After one year, the refugees can apply for a Green Card, offering a route to citizenship. Under 'normal' circumstances, to qualify, applicants must be outside the US (or, in rare cases, within their home country if authorised by the US President) and demonstrate past persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution. IOL Politics Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
