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IOL News
10-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Controversial resettlement of Afrikaners in the US sparks debate
The South African delegation led by President Cyril Ramaphosa with the US delegation and President Donald Trump at the White House Image: GCIS THE LATEST group of white Afrikaners, who are part of a broader plan to relocate about 8 000 in the ensuing months to the US, made their way to their new homeland on Friday. Their move is a part of a controversial resettlement initiative initiated by former President Donald Trump, who cited concerns over alleged persecution and the spectre of "white genocide" in South Africa. Jaco Kleynhans, head of Public Relations for the trade union Solidarity, revealed that the latest group included families with children and that efforts to secure future flights are already underway. 'The second group departed on a commercial flight on Thursday and landed in Atlanta on Friday,' he confirmed. 'Several more groups will follow in the coming weeks.' The resettlement programme originated from Trump's executive order issued in February, which highlighted the Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 as one enabling the alleged persecution of Afrikaners. The first group, numbering over 49 individuals, arrived last month aboard a chartered private plane, sparking major discussions around immigration, safety, and identity. The US Embassy in Pretoria, in conjunction with the State Department, is currently processing the applications of thousands of Afrikaners, as reported by Kleynhans. 'They are settling in southern states like Texas, North and South Carolina, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska,' he noted, highlighting the continuous flow of individuals seeking refuge from South Africa. While Solidarity strives to guide prospective immigrants through the application process, Kleynhans maintained that the focus remains on ensuring a secure future for Afrikaners in their homeland. 'We remain 100% convinced that South Africa must create a home for all its people,' he stated, adding that nearly 20% of Afrikaners have already left the country to escape unemployment and social unrest. The ongoing migration has raised eyebrows, with some critics suggesting that the refugee initiative is politically charged. Kleynhans dismissed such claims, asserting that any shift in American policy could only occur through domestic electoral processes. 'If Americans disagree with Trump on this, they can elect a different president in three years,' he said. Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, expressed empathy for those departing, if not for the reasons prompting their emigration. He referenced the 'hateful chants', including the provocative phrase 'Kill the Boer', which he believes has exacerbated feelings of insecurity among Afrikaners. He emphasised the need for a broader conversation on inclusion and community safety, insisting that no demographic group should be targeted for violence. International relations expert Dr Noluthando Phungula commented on the situation, suggesting that claims of white genocide seem to persist unchallenged within US policy discussions, potentially obscuring the reality many Afrikaners face. Professor Siphamandla Zondi from the University of Johannesburg shared a similar sentiment, forecasting an increasing number of people seeking a new life in the US as economic concerns continue to drive migration.
IOL News
05-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Who does and who doesn't meet the 'Afrikaner' criteria for Trump's resettlement offer?
The South African delegation led by President Cyril Ramaphosa with the US delegation and President Donald Trump at the White House. Image: GCIS With the second batch of white Afrikaners having quietly arrived in the United States last week, as part of President Donald Trump's offer to resettle them amidst false claims of white genocide and persecution in South Africa, a discussion has been raised around who exactly can meet the criteria. The second batch is part of a larger group that applied to be resettled within the US, according to the Head of Public Relations for trade union Solidarity, Jaco Kleynhans. Kleynhans further shared that there have been 70,000 enquiries and so far there have been about 8,000 formal applications. 'How many people will be resettled will be determined by many factors – how many people apply in future, (and) how many applications are successful?' Explaining their role in the process, Kleynhans said: 'We are not involved at all. We only help people with enquiries and refer them to the right people at the embassy.' A US Mission to South Africa spokesperson said: 'The U.S. Embassy in Pretoria continues to review inquiries from individuals who have expressed interest to the Embassy in resettling to the United States and is reaching out to eligible individuals for refugee interviews and processing.' 'Refugees continue to arrive in the United States from South Africa on commercial flights as part of the Afrikaner resettlement program's ongoing operations.' In their records, the spokesperson said they have received almost 50,000 inquiries regarding refugee resettlement to the United States from South Africa. Afrikaners waiting to be briefed by US government officials in a hangar at Dulles International Airport, Washington on May 12, 2025. Image: AFP According to the criteria, to be eligible for US resettlement consideration (USRAP), individuals must meet all of the following criteria: Must be of South African nationality; and Must be of Afrikaner ethnicity or be a member of a racial minority in South Africa; and Must be able to articulate a past experience of persecution or fear of future persecution. In his IOL opinion piece this week, Clyde N.S. Ramalaine argued that the criteria used, has opened an unexpected opportunity to examine how it could inadvertently apply to other historically marginalised South African groups, 'particularly the KhoeSan and Coloured communities'. 'The original purpose of the USRAP criteria appears to have been the protection of white South Africans fearing political and land displacement. However, its language is broad enough to permit reinterpretation. 'A literal application of its three criteria—nationality, minority status, and persecution—clearly allows for KhoeSan and Coloured inclusion,' Ramalaine said. Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) CEO, Lance Schultz, explained that the word "Afrikaner" derives from the Dutch word Afrikaan, meaning "African," combined with the suffix -er, which denotes a person associated with a place or characteristic. 'Thus, 'Afrikaner' literally means 'one from Africa' or 'African' in Dutch.' Schultz explained that initially, "Afrikaner" was a broad term that could apply to anyone born in Africa, including people of mixed descent or even enslaved individuals, but over time, it became more narrowly associated with the white, Dutch-speaking settler population who developed a distinct cultural and linguistic identity separate from their European origins. 'Many views or schools of thought may exist regarding the historical origin of the word 'Afrikaner'; two of these can be explored. Firstly, the term 'Afrikaner' is regarded as having its roots in the Dutch colonial history of South Africa, and it refers to white Afrikaans-speaking persons. 'The term was initially used to describe people of European descent, primarily Dutch, who settled in southern Africa and identified with the continent as their home. This reflects the complex interplay of language, culture, and identity in the region,' Schultz said. He explained that the term "Afrikaner" has undergone significant changes in meaning, usage, and connotation since its emergence in the 17th century, reflecting shifts in historical, social, and political contexts in South Africa. 'After the end of apartheid in 1994, the term 'Afrikaner' became more contested. It remains primarily associated with white, Afrikaans-speaking South Africans, but is increasingly debated in terms of inclusivity. Some advocate for a broader definition that includes all Afrikaans speakers, regardless of race, such as Coloured and Black Afrikaans-speaking communities,' Schultz said. 'The legacy of apartheid has made 'Afrikaner' a polarising term for some, associated with historical oppression, while others view it as a cultural or linguistic identity divorced from political connotations. In modern South Africa, Afrikaner identity is diverse, with some embracing globalised or progressive values and others holding onto conservative or nationalist sentiments.' Head of Public Relations for trade union Solidarity, Jaco Kleynhans said that there have been 70,000 enquiries about US President Donald Trump's resettlement offer and so far there have been about 8,000 formal applications. Image: Graphic He explained that the categorising of who does and doesn't count as part of a specific ethnic group, such as "Afrikaner" in the context of Trump's 2025 executive order, involves navigating complex linguistic, cultural, and political terrain. 'This policy has spotlighted the term 'Afrikaner' and raised questions about its definition, revealing language pitfalls that can lead to exclusion, misrepresentation, or manipulation of ethnic identity.' He added that ethnic categories like "Afrikaner" often blend linguistic, cultural, ancestral, and racial elements, but vague or inconsistent definitions can lead to misinterpretation or exclusion. 'The executive order appears to define 'Afrikaner' narrowly as white, Afrikaans-speaking South Africans, aligning with historical apartheid-era usage that excluded non-white Afrikaans speakers, such as the Coloured community, who form a significant portion of Afrikaans speakers. This exclusionary framing ignores the linguistic diversity of Afrikaans speakers and reinforces a racialised interpretation of the term.' Director at the Centre for Education Rights and Transformation from the University of Johannesburg, Professor June Bam-Hutchison, added that the Trump administration is instrumentalising an apartheid white racist notion of 'Afrikaner' as 'embedded within Afrikaner nationalism which mutated into the ethnic foundations of the 'chosen people' (white Afrikaners)'. 'Of course, indigenous people and Africans have never been at the heart of Trump's interests. Since 1994, we have embraced a South African inclusivity, rejecting 'Colouredism' as it has a nasty Apartheid history of imposed dislocation from Africa. 'It would be foolish to believe that Trump's presidency, in this gesture from its embassy, includes indigenous people from anywhere in the world, although opportunistic ethnic nationalists would want to claim refugee status to further Apartheid ideals of divide and rule. Such claims are questionable within this context,' Bam-Hutchison said. Bam-Hutchison said Trump's actions are about entrenching global white supremacy, and the strategic positioning politically and economically on the continent. 'Should 'Coloureds' claim refugee status on the grounds stated, it would be merely opportunistic in a country which brutally dispossessed the Native American people and in which the Black Lives Matter movement has major unsettled business with the Trump administration. 'Definitely, a highly suspicious gesture peppered with significant and glaring contradictions for the world to see at a time of live genocide in Gaza,' Bam-Hutchison said. When asked if even people from the Cape Flats, who see themselves as 'Afrikaners', could also apply, Kleynhans said, 'Yes'. 'The entire process has been discredited by many in the mainstream media, as well as in the South African government. We find this despicable. The US government has the right to offer refugee status to anyone they wish. 'Furthermore, many Afrikaners experience serious discrimination and persecution. Many Afrikaners feel completely alienated from the country they love so much. This is a tragedy. Furthermore, our main focus as Solidarity has always been and is to ensure that Afrikaners can remain in South Africa,' Kleynhans said. 'We do not want Afrikaners to feel that they have lost all hope for a future in South Africa. We will therefore continue to fight for a future for Afrikaners in South Africa.' Head of Public Relations for trade union Solidarity, Jaco Kleynhans said that there have been 70,000 enquiries, so far there have been about 8,000 formal applications. Image: Graphic
The South African
03-06-2025
- Business
- The South African
'20% of Afrikaners have left SA' - Here's why...
More Afrikaners are choosing to leave South Africa and seek refugee status in the US. According to the Solidarity Movement, the migration of white South Africans has been an ongoing occurrence over a lack of employment opportunities. Last week, a second batch of the minority group left the country under the resettlement plan. Thousands more are expected to follow them. According to Solidarity Movement spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans, up to 8 000 white Afrikaners will take up refugee status in the US over the coming weeks. However, thousands more have left before them. He posted on his X account: '20% of Afrikaners have already left the country permanently or temporarily because they could not find work here. The white unemployment rate is completely skewed. 'Hundreds of thousands of Afrikaners have been pushed out of the formal labor market and have started their own businesses or emigrated. Like Kleynhans, many white South Africans believe 'race laws' harm their chances of employment. Jaco Kleynhans's claims about the white population – which includes Afrikaners – fall in line with statistics. According to a 2022 census, white South Africans made up 7.3% of the total population, which is about 4.5 million people. Of that, around 3 million are Afrikaners. Over the years, reports indicate the following decline in the white population 2011 – 9% 2016 – 8,1 % 2021 – 7,8 % Although stats reveal a dip in unemployment, the Commission for Employment Equity noted that white people still occupy 62,1% of top management level posts while Black people occupied 13.8% According to many recruitment agencies, many Afrikaners immigrate to other countries for farm work opportunities abroad. 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.
Miami Herald
03-06-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
More White Refugees Arriving In America: What to Know
More white Afrikaners from South Africa have arrived in America as refugees and Newsweek has broken down what you need to know. Newsweek has contacted the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, the State Department and the South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation, via email, for comment. A group of 59 people made headlines in May when they arrived on a chartered flight at Dulles International Airport in Virginia as party of the Afrikaner resettlement program. Donald Trump's administration believes that Afrikaners are being persecuted in South Africa as victims of racially-motivated violence – something vehemently denied by the South African government. The program came despite Trump's suspension of the State Department's refugee admissions program, which he said at the time was because the U.S. "lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees, into its communities in a manner that does not compromise the availability of resources for Americans, that protects their safety and security, and that ensures the appropriate assimilation of refugees." A small group of Afrikaners, including children, quietly arrived in Atlanta on a commercial flight on Friday, said Jaco Kleynhans, head of Public Relations for the trade union Solidarity, which has helped some applicants with parts of the Afrikaner refugee process. "They are settling in states across the USA, but particularly southern states such as Texas, North and South Carolina, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska," Kleynhans told the South African media outlet Independent Online (IOL). This group consisted of nine people, according to the Associated Press which also cited Kleynhans. Several more groups are expected to fly to the U.S. over the next few weeks with the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria and the State Department in Washington, D.C., currently processing 8,000 applications, according to Kleynhans. A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy said: "Refugees continue to arrive in the United States from South Africa on commercial flights as part of the Afrikaner resettlement program's ongoing operations." The U.S. is "reaching out to eligible individuals for refugee interviews and processing," a spokesperson from the U.S. Mission to South Africa told local outlet News24. Nearly 50,000 South Africans have inquired about the resettlement program, the U.S. State Department told The New York Times. Kleynhanssaid: "The American refugee programs are paid for by American taxpayers and it is outrageous that international organizations and foreign groups think they can dictate to the Trump administration who should be eligible for refugee status. If Americans disagree with Trump on this, they can elect a different president in three years." South Africa's Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation has previously said in a statement about the issue: "It is most regrettable that it appears that the resettlement of South Africans to the United States under the guise of being 'refugees' is entirely politically motivated and designed to question South Africa's constitutional democracy; a country which has in fact suffered true persecution under Apartheid rule and has worked tirelessly to prevent such levels of discrimination from ever occurring again." South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters on May 17: "There's no genocide in South Africa. That is a fact that's borne out of a lot of evidence." White House deputy chief of staff and Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller defended the program to reporters, saying: "What's happening in South Africa fits the textbook definition of why the refugee program was created. This is race-based persecution. The refugee program is not intended as a solution for global poverty, and historically, it has been used that way." More Afrikaners are expected to arrive in the United States, depending on the outcome of their refugee status applications. Applicants "must be able to articulate a past experience of persecution or fear of future persecution," a guide to the program says. 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
03-06-2025
- General
- Newsweek
More White Refugees Arriving In America: What to Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. More white Afrikaners from South Africa have arrived in America as refugees and Newsweek has broken down what you need to know. Newsweek has contacted the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, the State Department and the South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation, via email, for comment. Why It Matters A group of 59 people made headlines in May when they arrived on a chartered flight at Dulles International Airport in Virginia as party of the Afrikaner resettlement program. Donald Trump's administration believes that Afrikaners are being persecuted in South Africa as victims of racially-motivated violence – something vehemently denied by the South African government. The program came despite Trump's suspension of the State Department's refugee admissions program, which he said at the time was because the U.S. "lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees, into its communities in a manner that does not compromise the availability of resources for Americans, that protects their safety and security, and that ensures the appropriate assimilation of refugees." Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, left, greets the first group of Afrikaner refugees from South Africa at Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Virginia, on May 12, 2025. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, left, greets the first group of Afrikaner refugees from South Africa at Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Virginia, on May 12, 2025. AP What To Know A small group of Afrikaners, including children, quietly arrived in Atlanta on a commercial flight on Friday, said Jaco Kleynhans, head of Public Relations for the trade union Solidarity, which has helped some applicants with parts of the Afrikaner refugee process. "They are settling in states across the USA, but particularly southern states such as Texas, North and South Carolina, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska," Kleynhans told the South African media outlet Independent Online (IOL). This group consisted of nine people, according to the Associated Press which also cited Kleynhans. Several more groups are expected to fly to the U.S. over the next few weeks with the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria and the State Department in Washington, D.C., currently processing 8,000 applications, according to Kleynhans. A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy said: "Refugees continue to arrive in the United States from South Africa on commercial flights as part of the Afrikaner resettlement program's ongoing operations." The U.S. is "reaching out to eligible individuals for refugee interviews and processing," a spokesperson from the U.S. Mission to South Africa told local outlet News24. Nearly 50,000 South Africans have inquired about the resettlement program, the U.S. State Department told The New York Times. What People Are Saying Kleynhans said: "The American refugee programs are paid for by American taxpayers and it is outrageous that international organizations and foreign groups think they can dictate to the Trump administration who should be eligible for refugee status. If Americans disagree with Trump on this, they can elect a different president in three years." South Africa's Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation has previously said in a statement about the issue: "It is most regrettable that it appears that the resettlement of South Africans to the United States under the guise of being 'refugees' is entirely politically motivated and designed to question South Africa's constitutional democracy; a country which has in fact suffered true persecution under Apartheid rule and has worked tirelessly to prevent such levels of discrimination from ever occurring again." South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters on May 17: "There's no genocide in South Africa. That is a fact that's borne out of a lot of evidence." White House deputy chief of staff and Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller defended the program to reporters, saying: "What's happening in South Africa fits the textbook definition of why the refugee program was created. This is race-based persecution. The refugee program is not intended as a solution for global poverty, and historically, it has been used that way." What Happens Next More Afrikaners are expected to arrive in the United States, depending on the outcome of their refugee status applications. Applicants "must be able to articulate a past experience of persecution or fear of future persecution," a guide to the program says.
