In a bold and unapologetic statement, President Cyril Ramaphosa has criticized a group of 59 white South Africans, primarily Afrikaners, who recently relocated to the United States under refugee status. Labeling their departure an act of cowardice, Ramaphosa said those fleeing South Africa in search of refuge abroad were unwilling to face the nation’s shared challenges and contribute to a more inclusive future.
The group landed in Washington D.C. on Monday, reportedly welcomed by U.S. officials, including Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau, who described their lives in South Africa as being overshadowed by “violence and terror.” Waving American flags and holding young children, the new arrivals were celebrated as victims of racial persecution—a claim Ramaphosa strongly disputes.Ramaphosa:
Ramaphosa: White South African Refugees Are Running From Change
During an address at an agricultural exhibition in the Free State province, President Ramaphosa delivered a direct message to those choosing to leave South Africa, particularly in the context of the country’s ongoing efforts to redress the legacy of apartheid. He emphasized that genuine patriotism means staying and contributing to solutions.
“As South Africans, we are resilient. We don’t run away from our problems. We must stay here and solve them. When you run away, you are a coward, and that’s a real cowardly act,” Ramaphosa declared.
He added that those who have left are not supportive of transformative efforts aimed at tackling deep-rooted inequality and land ownership imbalances stemming from the apartheid era. “They are not favourably disposed to change,” he said. “But I can bet you—they’ll be back. There is no country like South Africa.”
The president’s comments sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some accusing him of belittling the grievances of white South Africans. Others, however, praised his forthrightness and his commitment to national unity.
Central to the emigration debate is South Africa’s land reform policy, a contentious issue that has drawn international scrutiny. In January, Ramaphosa signed a law allowing for the expropriation of land without compensation under specific conditions deemed equitable and in the public interest.
Although no land has been seized to date, critics, including former U.S. President Donald Trump and South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, have painted a grim picture of white South Africans, particularly farmers, facing systemic persecution. Trump even referred to the situation as a “white genocide”—a claim that has been widely discredited by experts and international human rights organizations.
Nevertheless, the U.S. administration under Trump extended refugee status to this group of Afrikaners, citing racial discrimination and personal safety concerns.
Ramaphosa, however, pushed back firmly on this narrative. Speaking at an Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, he said he had addressed the matter with Trump directly in a recent phone call. “I told him the U.S. assessment is simply not true. We’re the only country on the continent where the colonizers came to stay, and we have never driven them out.”
The U.S. Embassy in South Africa stated that to qualify for refugee status, applicants must be from a racial minority, cite a history or credible fear of persecution, and demonstrate South African nationality. While the 59 Afrikaners technically met the application criteria, Ramaphosa argued that their motivations were more about resisting social change than escaping real danger.
“These individuals don’t fit the bill of true refugees. They are leaving because they are not happy with our efforts to build a fairer South Africa,” he said.
The South African government continues to stress that land reform is not a campaign of retribution but an attempt to correct longstanding imbalances. Over 30 years after apartheid officially ended, the vast majority of productive farmland remains in the hands of white South Africans, while black citizens, who make up the majority, remain largely dispossessed.
Ramaphosa to Discuss Emigration Issue with US Counterpart
Amid mounting diplomatic tension, Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet with U.S. leadership to address the refugee claims and broader bilateral concerns. Trump has reportedly threatened to skip the upcoming G20 Summit in South Africa unless the “situation is taken care of.”
For now, President Ramaphosa remains firm in his stance: those leaving are not victims, but individuals unwilling to participate in the collective rebuilding of a democratic South Africa. “This is our country—all of us, black and white. And we must not run away from our responsibilities,” he concluded.
Source – BBC
