A second group of white Afrikaners has quietly touched down in the United States, part of a controversial resettlement programme initiated by US President Donald Trump. The effort follows claims—widely dismissed as misinformation—of white genocide and persecution in South Africa.
Jaco Kleynhans, spokesperson for the trade union Solidarity, confirmed that this latest group—consisting of families including children—arrived in Atlanta on Friday. They had flown out of South Africa on a commercial flight, unlike the previous group of 49 Afrikaners who arrived weeks earlier via a chartered plane.
This resettlement comes after Trump signed an executive order in February, referencing South Africa’s Expropriation Act of 2024 as a justification for offering refuge to Afrikaners. The act has been a point of tension, with critics suggesting it unfairly targets white landowners, though many legal experts and rights organizations dispute these claims.
According to Kleynhans, the United States is currently processing 8,000 applications from Afrikaners seeking refuge, with more groups expected to follow. Many are being resettled in Southern states such as Texas, the Carolinas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska.
“The group is small, but it’s part of a larger wave. We are helping applicants understand the process and connect with the right officials,” Kleynhans said. He added that while Solidarity’s focus isn’t on refugee status, the union aims to ensure a secure and prosperous future for Afrikaners, whether in South Africa or abroad.
Kleynhans also noted that roughly 20% of Afrikaners have already left South Africa, largely due to unemployment and concerns about their safety and future.
In response to criticism that the refugee programme is politically charged, Kleynhans argued that “American taxpayers fund their refugee programs, and only Americans should decide who qualifies. If they disagree, they can vote differently in the next election.”
Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, said his organization wasn’t directly involved with those leaving, as they applied through official US channels. However, he expressed understanding for their decision, citing fears over anti-white rhetoric, including chants like “Kill the Boer,” which he said the South African government had failed to properly denounce.
“No one should be targeted with threats of violence,” Kriel stated. “Young people, especially, feel there’s no future when they face discrimination in the job market.”
However, not everyone agrees with the idea of a mass exodus. Dr. Noluthando Phungula, an international relations expert, suggested that the narrative of white genocide is being kept alive in Washington, despite lacking credible evidence. She believes most Afrikaners—especially the wealthier ones—will choose to stay in South Africa.
Professor Siphamandla Zondi from the University of Johannesburg said the programme may attract poorer Afrikaners looking for jobs in the US, which they might otherwise struggle to get visas for.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, meanwhile, said it was not aware of the second group’s departure or arrival in the US.
As debate continues over the political motives and realities of the resettlement programme, one thing is clear: the tensions and fears surrounding identity, security, and opportunity remain potent forces shaping the lives of many Afrikaners in South Africa—and now, in America too.
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