White South Africans gathered in support of President Donald Trump at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, claiming to be victims of racism by their own government. The protesters, mainly from the Afrikaner community, displayed placards thanking Trump and criticizing what they perceive as discriminatory laws targeting the white minority in South Africa. Trump’s recent Executive Order focused on the Afrikaners, accusing the South African government of allowing land expropriation. However, the government has refuted these claims, stating that the land law aims to address historical inequalities without targeting any specific racial group.
President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized that South Africa will not tolerate forced land removals, drawing attention to the country’s painful history of land dispossession under apartheid. The Trump administration’s actions have reignited debates on addressing the legacies of white minority rule in South Africa. The government defends the land law as a means to rectify the disproportionate land ownership by whites, who constitute only 7% of the population.
The protesters also criticized affirmative action policies benefiting Black South Africans post-apartheid, highlighting ongoing racial tensions in the country. Influential figure Elon Musk has also criticized the government, alleging anti-white bias. Despite these challenges, South Africa has made strides in reconciling its diverse population since the end of apartheid. The current government comprises a coalition of Black-led and white-led political parties, emphasizing collaboration in a post-apartheid society.
