South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly criticized a group of 59 white South Africans who have moved to the United States under refugee status, calling their decision to leave “cowardly” and a refusal to face the country’s challenges.
Speaking at an agricultural exhibition in the Free State province, Ramaphosa said, “As South Africans, we are resilient. We don’t run away from our problems. When you run away you are a coward, and that’s a real cowardly act.” He expressed confidence that the emigrants would eventually return, adding, “There is no country like South Africa.”
The group, identified as Afrikaners — descendants of mostly Dutch settlers — arrived in the US on Monday. They were welcomed at Dulles Airport by American officials, including Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau, who described them as having fled “a shadow of violence and terror.” Many in the group held children and waved American flags during their arrival.
President Donald Trump granted them refugee status, citing claims of racial discrimination and violence against white farmers in South Africa — a narrative that he and South African-born entrepreneur Elon Musk have previously promoted. However, international observers and human rights groups have widely discredited claims of a “white genocide” in South Africa.
Ramaphosa rejected those claims, noting during a separate address at an Africa CEO forum in Ivory Coast that “the US assessment of the situation is not true.” He emphasized that South Africa has never expelled its colonizers and is working to correct historical inequalities in a lawful and inclusive manner.
The controversy also touches on South Africa’s new land reform law, signed by Ramaphosa in January, which allows for land expropriation without compensation under certain conditions. Although no land has yet been seized under the law, it has drawn criticism, particularly from conservative groups in the West.
The president argued that those leaving were resistant to post-apartheid efforts to redress past injustices, particularly the unequal distribution of land. Despite making up less than 10% of the population, white South Africans still control the majority of commercial farmland — a legacy of apartheid-era policies.
While Ramaphosa’s comments received support from some quarters, they also sparked backlash online, with critics calling his “coward” remark dismissive and inflammatory.
The issue has further strained relations between South Africa and the US. Trump has reportedly threatened to boycott the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa unless the matter is addressed. Ramaphosa said he is preparing to meet Trump to clarify the situation and defend South Africa’s internal reforms.