President Cyril Ramaphosa has labeled a group of 59 white South Africans relocating to the US as ‘cowards’, asserting that ‘they will return shortly’.
This group of Afrikaners arrived in the US on Monday after being granted refugee status by President Donald Trump, who cited their experiences of racial discrimination.
Ramaphosa criticized those choosing to leave, suggesting they were dissatisfied with the ongoing efforts to rectify the injustices of apartheid, and described their departure as a ‘sad moment for them’.
He emphasized the resilience of South Africans, stating, ‘We do not flee from our challenges. We must remain and confront our issues. Fleeing is an act of cowardice.’
Furthermore, Trump and his ally, South Africa-born Elon Musk, have claimed there is a ‘genocide’ against white farmers in South Africa, a statement that has faced significant skepticism.
The US has also accused the South African government of expropriating land from white farmers without compensation.
Despite over 30 years since the end of white minority rule, black farmers still possess only a small portion of the nation’s prime agricultural land, which remains predominantly owned by whites, fueling frustration over the slow progress of reform.
In January, President Ramaphosa enacted a contentious law permitting the government to confiscate privately owned land without compensation under specific conditions deemed ‘equitable and in the public interest’, although the government asserts that no land has been taken under this law yet.
Trump has proposed resettling the white Afrikaners, who are primarily descendants of Dutch settlers, claiming they are escaping a ‘dire situation’ in South Africa.
During a speech on Monday at an agricultural exhibition in the Free State province, Ramaphosa remarked that Afrikaners are relocating to the United States due to their lack of support for initiatives aimed at resolving the nation’s issues.
He emphasized that all ethnic groups in South Africa, both black and white, have chosen to remain in the country, asserting that it is essential to confront and resolve local challenges rather than flee.
Ramaphosa expressed confidence that they would return, stating that no place compares to South Africa.
His comments, particularly the term ‘coward,’ sparked backlash on social media, with many perceiving it as an affront to discontented white South Africans.
Meanwhile, a group of Afrikaners received a warm welcome from high-ranking US officials, who claimed they had been living in fear in South Africa.
Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau greeted them at Dulles airport, celebrating their arrival in the ‘land of the free.’ Some of the newcomers were seen with young children and waving small American flags amidst a festive atmosphere.
Earlier, Ramaphosa addressed an Africa CEO forum in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, where he refuted claims made to Trump regarding the situation in South Africa, asserting that the country is unique in that colonizers settled permanently and were never expelled.
He also noted that the white South Africans arriving in the US do not meet the criteria for refugees and mentioned an upcoming meeting with his US counterpart to discuss the matter.
Trump has indicated a potential boycott of the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa unless the situation is addressed.
