Cosatu downplays economic impact of Afrikaner immigration to the US

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has downplayed the economic impact of more than 50 disgruntled white Afrikaners who immigrated to the United States, saying that most were unemployed and had been lured to the US for jobs. 

The Federation said that it was hopeful that other Afrikaners, who consider the option and who actually own farms and businesses, will sell their businesses to buyers who want to keep the existing business staff and to minimise the impact on their lives.

On Sunday night 59 Afrikaners departed from OR Tambo International Airport to arrive in Washington on Monday night, where they were welcomed by US government officials.

The group, who have been granted refugee status by the US government, has claimed that they have been subjected to a barrage of violence because of the colour of their skin in South Africa, fueling tensions between the two countries.

US president Donald Trump in February signed an executive order which gave a nod to his administration to admit Afrikaners from South Africa who applied to be resettled in the US.

The number of refugees was initially believed to be 49, but US officials reportedly confirmed that 59 arrived on Monday night.

Cosatu spokesperson Matthew Parks emphasised that the departing individuals did not own businesses or investments, rendering their departure economically inconsequential.

"There is no economic impact on the people that have left because none of the people who left own businesses or investments…Most were workers themselves and some were not working,” Parks said.

He added that if Afrikaner business owners were leaving, their businesses would likely be sold to new owners who would retain the initial staff, ensuring continuity.

Cosatu described the departure of the Afrikaners as a "klein trek" and questioned the US's characterisation of them as refugees. 

"They cannot be defined as refugees by any stretch of sobriety or common sense. A fact affirmed by no less an authority than the United Nations." Cosatu attributed the Afrikaners' decision to leave South Africa to their right to seek better opportunities abroad, as enshrined in the country's Constitution..

The US government has welcomed the Afrikaners, with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau claiming they had faced "violence and terror" in South Africa.

Landau said on national television, "The president (Trump) made it clear that Afrikaners in South Africa, who are the victims of unjust racial discrimination, would be welcome to come to the United States, and he's now delivering on that promise." 

The US has resettled the Afrikaners in several states, including Idaho, Alabama, and California.

The South African government has continued to dismiss claims of persecution against Afrikaners, with Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) Minister Ronald Lamola saying it was untrue.

 "There is no data at all that backs that there is a persecution of white South Africans or white Afrikaners." Lamola added that crime in South Africa affects everyone, regardless of race or gender,” Lamola said.

AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel criticised the ANC-led government for allegedly targeting Afrikaners and minority communities through discriminatory legislation. 

"The refugee status of these Afrikaners is a direct result of the ANC-led government's targeting of Afrikaners and other minority communities. AfriForum plans to continue advocating for Afrikaner rights and providing support to Afrikaners abroad,” Kriel said.

Economist Dawie Roodt said he had no details on the 59 Afrikaners who had left but said there was a large number of South African residents, of various races, leaving because of the ailing economy, crime and discrimination.

“There are a few things that impact a lot of people that are leaving…some people are just disgruntled because of the high cost of living in South Africa…Some don't want to pay the high taxes so they decided to rather take their money out of the country which makes the country the biggest loser,” Roodt said.

He said this would all cause weaker economic growth and high unemployment.

Roodt added that even though those who were leaving were not limited to white people only, the majority of them were white.

Political analyst professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast said at a political level this development was a negative for national building and social cohesion.

“We can't have a country that would do good in national building if we are pulling in different directions,” Breakfast said.

He however put the blame on the US, saying they had extensive intelligence resources and were supposed to use those resources to debunk the myth that white Afrikaners were being persecuted in South Africa. 

mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za