South African Farmers Dispute U.S. Genocide Claims

South African Farmers Dispute U.S. Genocide Claims \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ As President Ramaphosa prepares to meet Donald Trump, South African farmers push back against U.S. claims of genocide and land seizures. Conservative Afrikaners and Black farmers alike argue that farm attacks stem from widespread rural crime, not racial persecution. The fast-tracking of white Afrikaner refugees by the U.S. has sparked criticism amid systemic asylum backlogs.

Quick Looks

• Afrikaner farmers reject U.S. claims of genocide and land grabs
• President Ramaphosa to meet Trump amid refugee controversy
• U.S. granted refugee status to 49 Afrikaners citing persecution
• Many farmers highlight crime affects both Black and white
• Mandela once acknowledged farm attacks, called for long-term solutions
• Farm fair showcases unity despite polarized narratives
• Black farmers recount similar attacks, call for better policing
• U.S. State Department tight-lipped on refugee approval process
• White South Africans still own most farmland in the country
• Experts say SA remains one of the most unequal societies globally
• Afrikaners question the rationale for abandoning ancestral lands
• Stats show 12 farm-related murders in 2024—mostly workers, not farmers
• Fast-track asylum draws criticism amid broader immigration delays

Deep Look

Days before South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, a controversial American refugee policy granting white South African farmers asylum is sparking international tension and domestic reflection. At the heart of the debate are claims by the Trump administration that white farmers face systemic persecution and land seizures—a narrative that many South Africans, both Black and white, vehemently dispute.

In Bothaville, a town in South Africa’s agricultural heartland, thousands of farmers gathered for a sprawling farm fair, celebrating the land and livelihood many have stewarded for generations. Amidst booths selling everything from farming equipment to milkshakes, a quiet reverence settled at the memorial to farm attack victims. Afrikaner farmers—whose ancestors have worked South Africa’s soil for centuries—touched the engraved names of those lost, Black and white alike, to what many see as a crisis of rural crime, not racial conflict.

While concerns about safety on isolated farms are real, local voices strongly rebuked the Trump administration’s assertion of “genocide” and mass land confiscation. Even conservative Afrikaner groups, often skeptical of the post-apartheid government, dismissed these as exaggerated narratives divorced from the facts on the ground.

“I hope that during the upcoming visit to Washington, President Ramaphosa can present the real picture,” said John Steenhuisen, South Africa’s agriculture minister and part of the U.S. delegation. “There is no mass expropriation of land taking place, and there is no genocide happening in South Africa.”

Farmers United Across Race, Facing Shared Threats

Farmers across racial lines share a common experience—vulnerability to crime in remote areas where law enforcement is often scarce. Thobani Ntonga, a Black farmer from Eastern Cape, recalled narrowly escaping a kidnapping attempt on his land, thanks to the intervention of a neighbor. “Crime affects both Black and white,” he said. “It’s not about race—it’s about how isolated and exposed we are.”

Willem de Chavonnes Vrugt, an Afrikaner farmer, echoed the sentiment. “Why would I leave the land where my family has lived for generations? What we need is better security, not panic or escape.”

President Ramaphosa, himself a cattle farmer, visited the fair for the first time in 20 years—not just to buy equipment but to offer solidarity. “We must not run away from our problems,” he told attendees. “When you run away, you’re a coward.”

U.S. Refugee Policy Raises Questions of Fairness

The White House decision to fast-track refugee status for at least 49 white Afrikaners has stirred controversy both within the U.S. and internationally. Many critics question why Afrikaners are being prioritized while thousands of asylum seekers from other parts of the world face years-long backlogs.

Katia Beeden, who works with a resettlement advocacy group, says applicants go through a detailed online application process involving interviews and extensive background checks. “They’ve already warned that you can’t lie or hide anything,” she said. Beeden shared her own story of being robbed in her home, saying the fear many feel is genuine—but acknowledged that not all applications are accepted.

The U.S. State Department has yet to clarify why this group was prioritized or detail the criteria used in the approvals.

The Numbers Paint a Complex Picture

While violent crime is undeniably widespread in South Africa, the data suggests that Black citizens are overwhelmingly the victims. Police reports estimate that 75 people are killed daily across the country, and most are poor, Black South Africans.

On farms, 12 murders were recorded in 2024, including farmers, farm workers, and security personnel. Official statistics do not break these down by race, making claims of racially targeted violence difficult to substantiate. Experts and advocacy groups agree that while farm attacks are a concern, they reflect broader issues of rural crime and inequality.

According to the 2017 Census of Commercial Agriculture, white farmers still own around 80% of South Africa’s farmland. This figure only includes commercial farms earning over $55,000 annually and doesn’t account for the thousands of Black small-scale farmers who operate outside that scope. A broader government audit shows that white South Africans hold 72% of all individually owned land, while Black South Africans own just 15%.

These numbers have drawn criticism from global institutions like the World Bank, which labels South Africa as the most unequal country in the world. Land reform remains a contentious and deeply emotional topic—one that is politically charged but not equivalent to state-sanctioned land grabs or persecution, as some narratives suggest.

Looking Ahead: Facts vs. Fear

As Ramaphosa prepares for his White House meeting, his delegation hopes to confront exaggerated narratives with facts and foster a more balanced understanding. Many South African farmers, both Black and white, are urging international leaders to focus on strengthening rural policing, addressing inequality, and investing in agriculture rather than amplifying polarizing rhetoric.

“We want solutions, not scapegoats,” said Ntonga. “We’re all out here trying to make a life from the land. That’s not about color—it’s about survival.”

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