In a surprising turn of events, nearly 70,000 South Africans have expressed interest in relocating to the United States following Washington’s initiative to resettle members of the country’s Afrikaner community. This move has sparked a flurry of registrations on the website of the South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA (Saccusa), with individuals seeking more information about the program.
President Donald Trump’s February executive order stated that Afrikaners, descendants of predominantly Dutch settlers from the 17th Century, qualified for refugee status due to being “victims of unjust racial discrimination.” This decision has strained diplomatic relations between the US and South Africa since Trump assumed office in January.
Saccusa has played a pivotal role in facilitating the registration process, with the submission of the list to the US embassy in Pretoria marking a significant milestone. Neil Diamond, the president of Saccusa, revealed that a staggering 67,042 individuals registered, predominantly bearing Afrikaner or English surnames. Most applicants were between the ages of 25 and 45 and had two to three dependents.
While some white South Africans claim to face discrimination, their concerns have resonated with right-wing groups in the US. Despite the end of apartheid over three decades ago, the white minority in South Africa still holds a significant portion of the nation’s private land and wealth.
Tensions between Pretoria and Washington escalated when South African President Cyril Ramaphosa enacted legislation allowing land expropriation without compensation for the “public interest.” This move was met with criticism from Trump, who extended refugee status to Afrikaners and later to all South African farmers, citing the country as a “dangerous place for them.”
Ramaphosa defended the legislation, emphasizing that it aimed to ensure fair and just access to land in accordance with the constitution. However, this stance has not quelled the diplomatic hostilities, as evidenced by the recent expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador by the US.
The ongoing saga between the US and South Africa underscores the complex issues surrounding race, land ownership, and historical injustices. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how both countries will navigate these contentious issues moving forward. The influx of registrations from South Africans seeking refuge in the US highlights the deep-seated concerns and complexities at play in this evolving narrative.
