The Afrikaner community in South Africa, descendants of Dutch colonial settlers, finds itself at the center of a complex narrative. As a minority group in South Africa, they have historically held significant power, particularly during the apartheid era when the system legally enabled them to seize land and resources from the Black majority. Despite these historical privileges, some white South Africans have recently propagated a narrative in the United States suggesting that Afrikaners are now under threat. This narrative has been fueled by right-wing lobbying groups and has gained attention in American political circles.
In South Africa's corporate landscape, white individuals continue to dominate, holding 62 percent of top management positions compared to Black managers who occupy just 17 percent of leadership roles. Additionally, 73 percent of privately owned land remains in white hands, despite white people comprising only about 7 percent of the population. These figures highlight the enduring economic legacy of apartheid, despite the political changes that have taken place.
AfriForum, a prominent organization claiming to protect Afrikaner rights, has been instrumental in promoting the notion of white persecution. During a US tour seven years ago, members of AfriForum met with lawmakers and appeared on platforms like Fox News, bringing this narrative to a broader audience. Despite their efforts, many within the Afrikaner community, such as students and professionals, appear uninterested in seeking asylum in the United States. One student expressed this sentiment plainly, saying, "I don’t think any Afrikaners would really move to the US."
Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, has publicly distanced the group from former President Donald Trump’s actions against South Africa. He argued that AfriForum is not responsible for Trump's executive order that criticized South Africa's Expropriation Act and its position against Israel. Kriel stated clearly, "We did not say there was a white genocide."
The US Immigration and Nationality Act defines a refugee as someone unable or unwilling to return to their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. This definition is central to the debate over whether Afrikaners could qualify for asylum based on the claims being made.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently cautioned Elon Musk against spreading misinformation about South Africa. Musk, a South African-born tech billionaire and close adviser to Trump, is perceived by many as an ally of the Afrikaner cause. His influence adds another layer to the complex relationship between South Africa and the United States concerning this issue.
AfriForum often employs scare tactics to incite fear among Afrikaners about potential land seizures. According to South African author Max du Preez, this strategy is part of a broader effort by the organization to create a narrative of imminent threat against white Afrikaners. However, AfriForum seems to be back-pedalling on its earlier stance; it now argues that Afrikaners cannot leave for the US because their culture would be under threat.
Nicole du Plessis, an Afrikaner herself, dismisses claims of cultural oppression in South Africa: "I never felt any oppression against my culture." Her perspective aligns with many others who see no need for asylum abroad.
The Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled some proponents of this narrative as "white supremacists in suits and ties," highlighting the underlying racial tensions that continue to influence perceptions and actions.
