SOUTH Africans have reacted with ridicule and disbelief to US President Donald Trump’s recent claim that white Afrikaners face persecution and should be resettled in the United States. Trump’s assertions, which lack substantial evidence, have drawn criticism from politicians, analysts, and ordinary citizens alike, who see them as detached from the realities of post-apartheid South Africa.
On Friday, Trump announced that he was cutting US aid to South Africa, citing allegations that the government was forcibly seizing white-owned land and oppressing Afrikaners. The claim echoes long-standing far-right conspiracy theories, often amplified by South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, who has alleged that South Africa’s land reform policies are discriminatory against whites.
Mockery and satire in response
Instead of sparking fear, Trump’s statements have been met with mockery on social media, with many white South Africans joking about their supposed ‘oppression.’ Comedian Bouwer Bosch posted a viral TikTok video pretending to celebrate his new refugee status, only to reveal he plans to return home for golf tournaments and beach vacations. Another Instagram post titled ‘A day in the life of an oppressed white South African’ sarcastically claims the worst hardship is dealing with the hot sun.
Indian-South African comedian Sed Pillay also parodied the controversy, playing a white farmer applying for asylum in the US who insists on bringing his Black farmworkers along. These videos highlight the contradictions in Trump’s claim that Afrikaners are victims, particularly when they continue to hold disproportionate wealth and land ownership in South Africa.
Debunking the ‘land seizure’ myth
Trump’s criticism stems from a new land reform bill signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, allowing the government to expropriate land without compensation under specific conditions deemed in the public interest. However, legal experts stress that this does not introduce new powers but rather clarifies existing policies.
Despite opposition from South Africa’s Democratic Alliance (DA), the country’s leading opposition party, even its leadership has stated that the bill does not legalise arbitrary land seizures. They argue that Trump’s narrative misrepresents the complexities of land reform, which remains a deeply contested issue rooted in South Africa’s colonial and apartheid history.
Afrikaners unlikely to flee
While some Afrikaners may view Trump’s offer as an opportunity, the reality of relocating to the US is far from straightforward. Matthew Butler, a financial specialist in Johannesburg, noted that many who inquire about resettlement underestimate the cost of living in America.
‘America is not cheap,’ he said. ‘How will they find jobs? How will they afford to live?’
At the same time, South Africa’s government dismissed Trump’s executive order cutting aid as ‘inaccurate’ and ‘ignoring the country’s painful history.’ They also pointed out the irony of a US administration offering refuge to white South Africans while simultaneously cracking down on migrants and deporting people from other parts of the world.
A divisive political move
Many see Trump’s claims as politically motivated, aimed at stirring racial tensions rather than addressing genuine humanitarian concerns. Lulusuku Mahlangu, a university student, believes the real driving force behind Trump’s rhetoric is Elon Musk’s influence.
‘Trump doesn’t know much about South Africa,’ she said. ‘It feels like Musk is feeding him this narrative.’
For South Africans across racial lines, Trump’s intervention seems not only misplaced but also reinforces outdated racial divisions. As telecommunications worker Lwandle Yende put it:
‘There is no such thing as apartheid 2.0. We’ve moved on.’
(with agencies)
