First wave of Afrikaner refugees departs for the US, AfriForum blames the GNU

AfriForum says the departure of the first group of Afrikaners as “refugees” to the US is a result of how badly the ANC-led government, the Government of National Unity (GNU), is doing.

About 45 Afrikaners are en route to the US after taking up US President Donald Trump's offer to move over as refugees.

The group boarded a chartered flight from OR Tambo International Airport, scheduled to arrive in the US on Monday, following an invitation extended Trump’s refugee policy.

The move, reportedly facilitated on humanitarian grounds, follows concerns raised by the Trump administration over South Africa’s Expropriation Act — legislation perceived to disproportionately endanger the rights and security of the white minority, particularly Afrikaners.

AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel said this was due to the government not speaking out against violent slogans like "Kill the Boer," which they think is part of the problem.

“This refugee status is the direct result of the ANC-led government’s targeting of Afrikaners and other minority communities through discriminatory racial legislation and draconian race-based regulations.

“The new Expropriation Act, which makes expropriation without compensation possible, also places Afrikaners and other property owners directly in the government’s crosshairs,” Kriel said on X.

Although the organisation has been in talks with the ANC to resolve their differences, Kriel said, together with the Solidarity Movement, they were determined to continue their efforts to help build a future for Afrikaners in South Africa.

“To achieve this, AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement will forge ahead with our self-reliant initiatives, regardless of a hostile government, to secure our future through the continued expansion of our safety structures and essential cultural infrastructure,” he added.

“AfriForum and our allies will also intensify our efforts to use every possible pressure mechanism at our disposal, including international pressure, to bring about a change of direction in the country to the benefit of all, including Afrikaners”.

The GNU has defended itself against the false information that AfriForum and Solidarity have provided to Trump’s administration.

Agriculture Minister, John Steenhuisen, who also heads the Democratic Alliance (DA), has condemned the misleading claims, saying there were no land grabs in the country.

The ANC has also shared the same sentiment, accusing the groups of wanting to destroy what they have achieved since democracy.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za