Africa has long captivated the hearts and minds of travellers across the globe, luring adventurers with its astounding wildlife, breathtaking safaris, and rich cultural diversity. But if you were to listen to some of the outbursts of US president Donald Trump you would be forgiven for thinking that all of Africa, and its many diverse and beautiful countries were basically dumps.

From the infamous, and also denied quotes, from 2018 when he allegedly called the continent of Africa a sh**hole" to his latest rantings about Lesotho, you wouldn't expect Americans to travel to the continent.

But in fact, that is not the case. In only South Africa over 30 000 North American tourists visited the country last year, according to recent stats from Statista.

This trend points towards an, in fact, increasing eagerness among Americans to explore South Africa and the larger African continent.

Trump, who, despite living in an era of information abundance, has however perpetuated several inaccurate and damaging stereotypes about Africa during his last and present presidency.

Here are some of the things the US President has said:

Trump's early thoughts on South Africa:

In early 2015, long before his presidency could be taken seriously, Trump tweeted about South Africa's security situation, declaring it a “dangerous mess”.

He made it clear he was no fan of the country’s security situation, tweeting: “As I have long been saying, South Africa is a total - and very dangerous - mess.” It echoed a tweet from 2013: “I really like Nelson Mandela but South Africa is a crime ridden mess that is just waiting to explode-not a good situation for the people!"

His alarming views resonated with a narrative that often overshadows the beauty and vibrancy of South African cities.

South Africa: Fast forward to 2025 - the land of white oppression and land expropriation

These views again found a concrete home when Trump signed an Executive Order to address "serious human rights violations" occurring in South Africa. He continued his pattern of misrepresentation by discussing alleged land seizures from white farmers in South Africa, dismissively characterising the Land Expropriation Act as "a massive human rights violation". This sparked widespread condemnation and underscored an alarming disconnection from the current socio-political landscape in South Africa. Many condemned his characterisation, which risked deepening existing racial tensions rooted in the country’s apartheid history. He even offered Afrikaans farmers refuge in the US.

Namibia: A made-up country

The term 'Nambia', a bizarre mispronunciation of Namibia during a luncheon with African leaders in 2017, further epitomised Trump's disconnection with the continent. "Nambia's health system is increasingly self-sufficient," he proclaimed, leaving observers puzzled and bemused. Was he referring to Namibia, Zambia, or perhaps something else entirely? Social media users quickly capitalised on the gaffe, turning it into a bizarre phenomenon.

Africa and Haiti: “Sh#thole countries"

Trump's alleged remarks escalated to a series of highly controversial statements in 2018 when he infamously labelled African nations and Haiti as “sh#thole countries”. The fallout was immediate and wide-reaching, with international organisations and governments expressing outrage. The UN human rights office said the comments, if confirmed, were "shocking and shameful" and "racist", while Haiti's foreign minister summoned the US Chargé d’Affaires Robin Diallo for clarification. Botswana also condemned the remarks and summoned the US Ambassador to Botswana to express its displeasure at the alleged utterances.

Lesotho: An unknown country

More recently, Trump remarkably even mocked the African nation of Lesotho as “a country nobody has ever heard of”, during a Congress address, reinforcing a narrative of ignorance towards African nations by questioning their recognition and significance on the global stage.

Despite these pervasive misconceptions, the appetite among Americans for African adventures remains strong.

Social media has become a platform where Africans actively debunk myths and portray the myriad realities of contemporary life on the continent. Authentic portrayals of urban life, vibrant cultures, and successful infrastructure initiatives are reshaping perceptions, proving that reality is far more complex than the one-dimensional narratives propagated by influential figures.

As American tourism to South Africa continues to rise, understanding the continent's rich tapestry becomes imperative. The challenge remains to dispel long-standing myths and paint a more nuanced picture of African life, culture, and opportunity. While the likes of Trump have wielded powerful rhetoric to shape perceptions, it is the voices of ordinary Africans and the stories they share that will ultimately change the narrative.

#aid

Some of the worst things Donald Trump has said about Africa, and why you must still visit