South African white minority groups have rejected President Donald Trump's offer of refugee status and resettlement in the United States. Trump proposed the measure amid concerns over South Africa's land reform policies, which he claimed unfairly targeted certain populations.
Leading organizations AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement acknowledged Trump's attention to their situation but firmly declined the offer. Dirk Hermann, chief executive of the Solidarity trade union, which represents about 2 million people, emphasized their commitment to remain in South Africa.
AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel reinforced this stance, stating their clear intention to stay in the country. The South African government challenged Trump's characterization of the land law, describing it as filled with misinformation and distortions.
Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch, French, and German colonial settlers, arrived in South Africa over three centuries ago. They make up approximately 7 percent of the nation's 62 million population. Despite their minority status, white South Africans maintain ownership of roughly 70 percent of private farmland.
The South African Foreign Ministry highlighted the economic privilege many Afrikaners continue to enjoy, contrasting this with Trump administration policies toward asylum seekers facing documented hardships. The ministry accused critics of spreading propaganda against South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa's office defended South Africa's constitutional democracy, rejecting claims that Afrikaners face arbitrary deprivation. White South Africans maintain higher living standards than Black citizens, even three decades after apartheid's end in 1994.
The government maintains no systematic attacks targeting white farmers. Officials emphasize South Africa's commitment to protecting all citizens regardless of race, refuting suggestions that any group requires refugee protection abroad.
Leading organizations AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement acknowledged Trump's attention to their situation but firmly declined the offer. Dirk Hermann, chief executive of the Solidarity trade union, which represents about 2 million people, emphasized their commitment to remain in South Africa.
AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel reinforced this stance, stating their clear intention to stay in the country. The South African government challenged Trump's characterization of the land law, describing it as filled with misinformation and distortions.
Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch, French, and German colonial settlers, arrived in South Africa over three centuries ago. They make up approximately 7 percent of the nation's 62 million population. Despite their minority status, white South Africans maintain ownership of roughly 70 percent of private farmland.
The South African Foreign Ministry highlighted the economic privilege many Afrikaners continue to enjoy, contrasting this with Trump administration policies toward asylum seekers facing documented hardships. The ministry accused critics of spreading propaganda against South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa's office defended South Africa's constitutional democracy, rejecting claims that Afrikaners face arbitrary deprivation. White South Africans maintain higher living standards than Black citizens, even three decades after apartheid's end in 1994.
The government maintains no systematic attacks targeting white farmers. Officials emphasize South Africa's commitment to protecting all citizens regardless of race, refuting suggestions that any group requires refugee protection abroad.
