More than 67,000 white South Africans of Afrikaner descent have expressed interest to relocate to the United States under a refugee programme initiated by President Donald Trump.
The programme, announced through an executive order by Trump on February 7, offers refuge to Afrikaners amid concerns over land expropriation and alleged mistreatment in South Africa.
Neil Diamond, president of the South African Chamber of Commerce in the United States of America (SACCUSA), revealed that 67,042 individuals had expressed interest in the programme via the chamber’s website.
“It is a clear indication that people expressing interest are really a younger generation, seeking better opportunities for their children and future generations,” Diamond told Newsroom Afrika television station on Wednesday, noting that most registrants fall within the 25 to 45 age group.
The chamber has handed over the registrants’ details to the US embassy in Pretoria although Diamond emphasised that individuals must still apply directly through official US channels to be vetted by the appropriate authorities.
SACCUSA’s involvement, initially unexpected, was driven by the overwhelming response to Trump’s executive order, which caused its servers to crash due to the sheer volume of inquiries.
The executive order has reignited debates about South Africa’s land reform policies and the treatment of Afrikaners.
Trump’s administration has criticised South Africa’s land redistribution efforts, claiming they unfairly target white farmers – a claim South Africa denies, asserting the reforms aim to address historical inequalities.
While the programme has drawn significant interest, questions remain about the demographic profile of applicants and their potential resettlement locations in the US.
Diamond acknowledged the complexity of defining Afrikaner identity, highlighting the diverse cultural backgrounds within South Africa’s white population.
“That’s going to be a very difficult question to answer because the question I ask myself is what is an Afrikaner? … We’ve got a very much mixed pot of cultures and something that we have successfully gotten right as South Africa is really to be inclusive and have all cultures intermingle to a larger or lesser extent.”
He said the South African diaspora in the US is compiling a list of individuals willing to support incoming refugees with accommodation and employment opportunities.
This effort aims to ensure a smooth transition for those relocating under the programme.
JN/APA