A group of white South Africans gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria on Saturday to express support for former U.S. President Donald Trump, claiming they are victims of government policies they view as discriminatory.
The protesters, many from the Afrikaner community, carried signs praising Trump and criticizing South Africa’s affirmative action laws and land expropriation policies. Their demonstration followed Trump’s recent executive order cutting U.S. aid to South Africa, citing concerns over a new land law that he claimed unfairly targets Afrikaners.
The South African government has rejected these accusations, stating that the law is not race-based and aims to address historical land inequalities stemming from apartheid and colonial rule. President Cyril Ramaphosa assured that forced removals would never happen again, emphasizing that land redistribution efforts are for public benefit.
Trump’s stance has reignited debates over affirmative action and land ownership in South Africa. The country’s government argues that white landowners, despite being a small minority, still control the majority of farmland. Some white South Africans, however, see policies aimed at correcting past injustices as discriminatory.
The controversy has drawn international attention, with tech billionaire Elon Musk—who was born in South Africa—also criticizing the government’s policies, alleging they are anti-white. His company, Starlink, recently failed to secure an operating license in the country due to its non-compliance with local affirmative action regulations.
Despite these tensions, South Africa has largely maintained political stability, with a coalition government that includes both Black-led and white-led parties working together since the end of apartheid. However, Trump’s actions and statements have added fuel to a longstanding debate over race, land, and economic equity in the country.
