UPDATE: Afrikaner leaders are experiencing an unexpected surge in influence within U.S. diplomatic circles, following a series of meetings with senior officials in Washington. Theo de Jager, a prominent white South African farm organizer, reported that their recent visit to the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria was met with unprecedented attention from officials, including those from Vice President JD Vance‘s office.
This urgent development comes as President Donald Trump has initiated a halt to U.S. aid to South Africa, imposed 30% tariffs on South African imports, and stated the country would be excluded from the upcoming Group of 20 summit in Florida next year. Trump’s administration has cited the alleged persecution of Afrikaners as justification for these actions, claiming they are victims of genocide.
With Trump’s renewed focus on Afrikaners, the community is now enjoying access to U.S. officials like never before. De Jager noted, “We have never been welcomed like this before,” highlighting the stark contrast to previous administrations where their concerns received minimal attention. The U.S. Embassy is even sharing social media posts in Afrikaans, indicating a shift toward engaging this community.
Jaco Kleynhans, an official with the Solidarity Movement, remarked, “The extent of our access and engagement has increased tremendously in the past 10 months.” Weekly conversations with U.S. officials in Washington and regular interactions with embassy staff in South Africa are now commonplace, allowing Afrikaners to share their perspectives on critical issues, such as farm killings and tariffs.
Former U.S. ambassador to South Africa, Patrick Gaspard, expressed astonishment at the current level of engagement with Afrikaner organizations, which he described as “marginal” during his tenure from 2013 to 2016. This new dynamic has sparked tensions back home, with some South African lawmakers proposing investigations into Afrikaner organizations for allegedly spreading misinformation that could jeopardize relations with the U.S.
As the U.S. administration embraces Afrikaners, critics in South Africa are concerned about the implications of this growing alliance. Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, stated, “The U.S. at the moment, it’s in their interest not to have a good relationship with South Africa.”
The annual Independence Day celebration at the U.S. Embassy this year featured an unusually large presence of Afrikaners, demonstrating their newfound significance. Business leader Gerhard Papenfus reflected on the outreach from the Trump administration, stating, “Here’s an administration that reaches out and says, ‘We hear you.’”
The heightened interest in Afrikaner issues is reshaping diplomatic conversations in Washington and Pretoria, with officials eager to learn from their experiences. De Jager recounted a recent encounter with a U.S. diplomat who recognized him for his open letter to Trump, indicating that the administration is paying close attention to Afrikaner voices.
As this situation continues to evolve, observers will be watching closely for further developments in U.S.-South Africa relations and the potential impact on Afrikaner communities. The shift in diplomatic engagement underscores the urgent need for all parties to navigate these complex issues carefully.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as it unfolds.
