Afrikaners push back against Trump’s false white genocide claims in South Africa • FRANCE 24

Key Concepts

• White Genocide Allegations: Claims made by President Donald Trump regarding the persecution and potential extermination of white South Africans.
• Open Letter "Not in Our Name": A public statement by prominent Afrikaners rejecting Trump's "white genocide" narrative and advocating against prioritizing white Afrikaner asylum seekers.
• Afrikaner Community Divisions: Internal disagreements within the Afrikaner community regarding the interpretation of current socio-political issues in South Africa, particularly concerning race and safety.
• Farm Murders: Violent attacks on farmers in South Africa, a contentious issue with differing perspectives on their motivation and prevalence.
• Racialized Worldview: The perspective that emphasizes racial categories and hierarchies, which the open letter signatories argue is reinforced by focusing on white suffering.
• Lex Libertas: A new think tank founded by Ernst Rutz, focusing on civil rights and South African issues.
• Afrey Forum: A civil rights organization focused on Afrikaner issues, which has denied Trump's "white genocide" claims.
• Constitutionalism and Pragmatism: Ideals espoused by the signatories of the open letter, emphasizing adherence to democratic principles and practical solutions.
• ANC (African National Congress): The ruling political party in South Africa, criticized for its governance and policies.
• Property Rights and Land Reform: Key policy areas in South Africa that are subjects of debate and concern.

Open Letter by Prominent Afrikaners Rejects "White Genocide" Claims

A group of prominent Afrikaners, including writers, academics, and business leaders, have publicly challenged President Donald Trump's assertions of "white genocide" in South Africa. They issued an open letter titled "Not in Our Name," which was also sent to some US senators, to counter what they describe as misinformation.

Core Arguments of the Open Letter

The letter directly addresses Trump's refugee policy, which sought to prioritize white Afrikaners seeking asylum. The authors argue that:

• No Existential Threat: White Afrikaners are not facing an existential threat in South Africa.
• Distortion of Reality: Portraying them as victims of racial persecution distorts reality and damages the relationships built since the end of apartheid.
• Reinforcing Racialized Worldviews: Elevating white suffering above that of other groups reinforces a racialized worldview.

Internal Divisions within the Afrikaner Community

The publication of the letter has exposed deep internal divisions within the Afrikaner community. Left-leaning commentators have welcomed the letter, while right-leaning groups, particularly Afreform and Solidarity, have criticized it. These critics argue that the letter's authors, many of whom are academics, are out of touch with the lived experiences of South Africans. Afreform and Solidarity have a history of lobbying in the US against racial and land reform laws and highlighting farm attacks in South Africa.

Counterarguments and Real-World Experiences

To provide balance, the report includes the perspective of a refugee family who relocated to the US in late August. They stated they feel safer in the US and that three family members were victims of farm attacks. They also noted faster financial growth in the US.

As of the end of September, approximately 400 refugees had applied for status in America, with more potentially applying under Trump's resettlement program. The state of Maine has indicated it will accept up to 50 Afrikaners by the end of the year.

Perspectives from Signatories and Critics

The discussion features two key figures with opposing viewpoints:

Pete Cromp: Signatory of the Open Letter

Associate Professor of Political Studies and International Relations at Northwest University, Pete Cromp, explained his motivation for initiating the letter. He emphasized the progress made in building trust since the end of apartheid and argued that Trump's rhetoric seeks to export his own racial agenda by latching onto Afrikaners. Cromp stated that this narrative taints the character of Afrikaners who wish to remain in South Africa and have positive relationships with Black South Africans. He asserted that they cannot afford for their presence in Africa to be used to justify Trump's agenda, leaving them as victims for his political ends. Cromp stressed that a large number of right-wing voices in South Africa need to be countered, and the record set straight: not all Afrikaners think alike, and there is no evidence of racial genocide.

Ernst Rutz: Deputy CEO of Afrey Forum (now Head of Lex Libertas)

Ernst Rutz, formerly Deputy CEO of Afrey Forum and now head of the think tank Lex Libertas, presented a different perspective. He acknowledged that there are real, tangible issues and problems in South Africa but criticized the open letter's authors as detached intellectual elites caught in their own ideological endeavors. Rutz argued that their response plays into the hands of the ruling ANC, allowing the political elite to "get away with murder." He believes that countries are intertwined and that the American government would have taken a stance regardless of the information provided, as they have their own intelligence capabilities. Rutz stated that the information provided to the US government is not false and that there are important reasons for America to have stability in South Africa. He also pointed out that Donald Trump himself projected false information about farm murders during a meeting with President Ramaphosa.

Debate on "White Genocide" and Farm Murders

The discussion delved into the contentious issue of "white genocide" and farm murders.

Cromp's Rebuttal to Rutz

Cromp clarified that Afrey Forum itself denies Trump's "white genocide" argument, suggesting Trump's information is not credible if even groups with similar concerns disagree with him. He refuted the claim that the letter's signatories are isolated or uninformed, highlighting their personal experience in farming and extensive research on crime and violence in South Africa. Cromp described himself and other signatories as pragmatists and constitutionalists who believe in democracy, not left-wing ideologues. He also questioned Rutz's past involvement with "Irania," described as a white enclave with a specific agenda. Cromp reiterated that Trump is wrong about genocide in South Africa and that Rutz appears to be the only one who might believe it.

Rutz's Defense of Concerns and Language

Rutz stated he has done extensive work to explain why the situation in South Africa is not genocide. However, he argued that even if one conclusion in a list of concerns is debatable, the entire bundle of concerns should not be rejected. Rutz believes that Cromp and his colleagues have an "obsession with genocide" and overlook other real, tangible issues for which there is evidence, such as race laws, threats to property rights, and the persecution of minorities. He argued that these issues are "brushed under the table" by focusing solely on the genocide narrative. Rutz acknowledged that language matters and that Trump's use of hyperbole might have drawn attention to the crisis in South Africa, even if the description was inaccurate. He expressed concern that the discussion is not focusing on the "scourge of farm murders," politicians chanting "kill the boer, kill the farmer," the highest court's stance on such chants, the existence of over 140 race laws, or the government's efforts to erode property rights.

Statistics on Farm Murders and Motivation

The Institute of Security Studies reported 49 farm murders between 2023 and 2024, constituting 0.2% of murders nationwide. Cromp acknowledged farm murders as a real problem, comparable to other violent crimes in South Africa. He stated that extensive research indicates farm murders are part of organized crime patterns and are not politically motivated, though individual cases might have political backgrounds. Cromp attributed the perception of targeted attacks to the isolation of rural areas, the perception that white farmers are armed and possess money, and a self-identification as a separate, more civilized identity needing protection. He argued that Rutz makes the mistake of believing the narrative of targeted extermination. Cromp presented statistics showing white South Africans are wealthier than ever, occupy a significant percentage of business chambers, and attend top schools, indicating privilege rather than persecution. He asserted there is no evidence of genocide or specific crimes perpetrated against white South Africans.

Rutz's Counter-Argument on Farm Murder Motivation

Rutz countered that while the number of farm murders might be lower than other crimes, the concern is valid. He questioned whether farm murders are racially motivated, contrasting it with other crimes. Rutz cited Police Minister Bheki Cele's statement that there are five black deaths for every one white death on farms. Rutz insisted there is abundant evidence of farm murders being committed with racist and political intent, citing perpetrators chanting political slogans, using victims' blood to write slogans, and testifying under oath about political or racist motives. He highlighted politicians chanting "kill the boer, kill the farmer" and the government actively encouraging this crime phenomenon.

Conclusion

The discussion highlights a significant rift within the Afrikaner community regarding the interpretation of South Africa's socio-political landscape. While one group, represented by Pete Cromp, rejects the "white genocide" narrative as a distortion that harms reconciliation, another, represented by Ernst Rutz, argues that this narrative, while potentially mischaracterized, draws attention to genuine and serious concerns about the safety of minorities, property rights, and the impact of government policies. The debate underscores the complexity of addressing historical grievances, current challenges, and the role of language and narrative in shaping public perception and policy.