An Afrikaner Perspective on US–South Africa Relations

The Afrikaner community of South Africa has received significant news coverage in the United States since President Donald Trump announced he would grant members of the group refugee status. This and other issues related to the Afrikaners have been key stressors in the US–South Africa relationship and were major points of discussion between Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during their recent meeting in the Oval Office.

Three leaders of prominent South African organizations with strong Afrikaner memberships are visiting the US to discuss the key issues roiling ties between Washington and Pretoria:

• Dr. Corné Mulder, leader of the Freedom Front Plus, a center-right political party represented in the South African Parliament and a member of the Government of National Unity. The party advocates for minority rights and self-determination for the Afrikaner ethnic minority.
• Dr. Theo de Jager, CEO of the Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI), an organization representing family farmers across all ethnic groups in Southern Africa, with a strong Afrikaner membership. SAAI is also part of the Afrikaner Leadership Network.
• Mr. Gerhard Papenfus, CEO of the National Employers Association of South Africa (NEASA), a leading employers’ organization representing businesses across all sectors. NEASA actively opposes race-based policies, such as Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), which it argues are detrimental to business and economic growth. NEASA is also a member of the Afrikaner Leadership Network.

Join Senior Fellow Joshua Meservey for a panel discussion with the delegation.