As South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to meet with his US counterpart at the White House, a contentious issue has come to the forefront: the treatment of Afrikaner farmers. In a surprising move, the US has granted refugee status to at least 49 white South Africans, citing racial and violent persecution, as well as widespread seizures of white-owned land. However, many in South Africa, including some conservative white Afrikaner groups, have debunked these claims as untrue.

At a recent agricultural fair in Bothaville, thousands of farmers gathered to showcase their produce and livestock. Despite the lively atmosphere, concerns about safety and security were palpable. The fair was attended by President Ramaphosa, who emphasized the need to address the complex problem of crime on farms. “We must not run away from our problems,” he said. “When you run away, you’re a coward.”

The US decision to grant refugee status to white South Africans has raised eyebrows, given the country’s own statistics on crime. According to police data, up to 75 people are killed daily across South Africa, with the vast majority of victims being Black and poor. While violent crime is a significant issue, many farmers and experts argue that it affects both Black and white communities, and that the solution lies in addressing the root causes of vulnerability, such as isolation and lack of resources.

Thobani Ntonga, a Black farmer from Eastern Cape province, shared his own experience of being attacked on his farm, but emphasized that crime is not exclusive to any particular group. “Crime affects both Black and white… It’s an issue of vulnerability,” he said. Other farmers, including Afrikaner farmer Willem de Chavonnes Vrugt, echoed his sentiments, calling for more resources and policing to address the issue.

The fast-tracking of refugee applications for white South Africans has also raised questions about the fairness of the system. Many who seek asylum in the US can wait for years, while the Afrikaners’ applications have been expedited. Katia Beeden, a member of an advocacy group, described the online application process as “rigorous,” requiring applicants to undergo multiple interviews and provide proof of persecution.

The land ownership dynamics in South Africa are complex, with white farmers owning around 80% of the country’s farmland, according to the 2017 census of commercial agriculture. However, this data only reflects farmers with a revenue of over $55,000 per year, excluding many small-scale farmers, the majority of whom are Black. The World Bank has described South Africa as the “most unequal country in the world,” with white South Africans holding around 72% of individually owned land, compared to 15% for Black South Africans.

As President Ramaphosa prepares to meet with his US counterpart, he hopes to set the record straight on the situation in South Africa. “I really hope that during the upcoming visit to Washington, President Ramaphosa is going to be able to put the facts before his counterpart and demonstrate that there is no mass expropriation of land taking place in South Africa, and there is no genocide taking place,” said John Steenhuisen, Minister of Agriculture. The meeting is expected to shed light on the complex issues surrounding land ownership, crime, and refugee policy in South Africa.