Is there white genocide in South Africa? Trump thinks so, but Ramaphosa disagrees
Washington: US President Donald Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during a White House meeting on Wednesday (local time) with unproven claims that white South Africans—particularly Afrikaner farmers—are being systematically murdered, according to The Hill.
As reported by The Hill, the Trump administration has recently granted Afrikaner farmers expedited access to refugee status and US citizenship. This move marks a departure from the administration’s typically strict stance on immigration, despite there being little evidence to support claims of targeted violence against this group.
Ramaphosa counters allegations
Ramaphosa, a former anti-apartheid activist and freedom fighter, responded diplomatically to Trump’s allegations. During the meeting, Trump played a nearly four-minute video reportedly circulated by Afrikaner advocacy groups. The video featured inflammatory clips of Julius Malema, leader of South Africa's Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, portraying him as a significant threat and suggesting Ramaphosa should have him arrested for inciting violence.
Malema was expelled from the African National Congress several years ago.
Claims of land seizures and murders
Trump claimed that white farmers are having their land taken and are being killed, presenting several news clippings he said demonstrated rising violence. He also referred to the Witkruis Monument—a memorial site with white crosses in South Africa—describing it as a mass burial site for murdered white farmers. However, the monument is symbolic and commemorates all victims of farm attacks, regardless of race.
“It’s more than just a little movement — it’s a pretty big movement in South Africa,” Trump said of Malema’s EFF, as quoted by The Hill.
“Their land is being confiscated and, in many cases, they’re being killed,” Trump added.
Ramaphosa reaffirms democratic principles
Ramaphosa refuted the narrative of genocide, clarifying that Malema leads a small opposition party and is permitted to express his views under South Africa’s constitution. He acknowledged that while crime is an issue in the country, it does not disproportionately affect white farmers.
“Our government policy is completely, completely against what you were saying, even in the Parliament,” Ramaphosa said, as quoted by The Hill. “They’re a small minority party which is allowed to exist, in terms of our constitution.”
Context of land reform and political criticism
Afrikaners—descendants of Dutch settlers—make up less than 7 per cent of South Africa’s population but governed the country during apartheid until 1994. Ramaphosa, who served under Nelson Mandela, assumed the presidency in 2018 following a background in business and trade union leadership.
South Africa’s Parliament recently passed legislation aimed at addressing historical injustices from the apartheid era, including land inequality. Although no land has yet been seized under the new law, critics such as Elon Musk—who was also present at the meeting—have used the reform to argue that white South Africans are under threat. Musk has also said his company, Starlink, cannot operate in South Africa due to Black Economic Empowerment laws, as reported by The Hill.
Crime statistics do not support genocide claims
No international organisation has classified the situation in South Africa as a genocide. According to the country’s 2024 crime statistics, there were 6,032 murders recorded, with only 44 taking place on farms and just one involving a farmer. The data does not detail the race of the victims.
(ANI inputs)