Image Source: Anadolu Ajansi
Local – Do Afrikaners want to leave South Africa? According to Werner Human, head of operations at the Solidarity Movement, the answer is a resounding no—despite reports claiming that around 10,000 Afrikaners, estimated much more, had expressed interest in accepting President Donald Trump’s offer of refugee status in the United States.
Human acknowledged that some individuals have inquired about the process. Still, he stressed that most Afrikaners are committed to staying in South Africa.
The community remains hopeful that the country’s challenges can be resolved locally. Despite concerns about the land expropriation act, Afrikaners want to build a sustainable future right where they are.
“We view our future to be in this country. We want to remain here, and we want the conditions here for us to be able to be sustainable people in the country and for the Afrikaners to have a sustainable future in South Africa,” said Human.
The Solidarity Movement, although vehemently opposed to many of the ANC’s policies, has made it clear that they have no desire to leave.
Their disagreement with the government stems from its failures in governance, questionable policy decisions, and a lack of accountability, leading to poor service delivery and economic stagnation.
Still, their love for South Africa is unwavering. “We have no intention to move. We cannot prescribe to any individual for their choice, but we want to state our position very clear. Solutions must be found here, and that is where we want to remain,” Human explained.
Land Expropriation Concerns
Controversy around the land expropriation act has been a source of anxiety for many, particularly landowners in the agricultural sector.
Critics argue that the act’s broad definition of “public interest” leaves it open to subjective interpretation and potential misuse. This ambiguity creates significant uncertainty for farmers and other landowners.
Human said that while the principle of expropriation isn’t inherently problematic, the act’s wording lacks clarity.
“Normally, expropriation happens for a public purpose… That is not controversial at all. When it becomes controversial is if we look at the wording of the expropriation act and we realise there’s been a buildup to this act,” he said.
“You can trace it to resolutions taken by the ANC, where they were very explicit to say ‘expropriation without compensation,’ and that is something that raises a red flag.”
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Criticism of Afrikaans Majority Civil Groups
Human also addressed accusations that civil society organisations like AfriForum had launched disinformation campaigns abroad. He rejected the claims, saying no evidence had been provided to support these allegations.
“There were reports over the past few weeks that suggest disinformation on our part. That is not true. Those reports did not mention what disinformation they claim we, in some other way, exchanged with any other party outside the country. We deny that.”
According to Human, solidarity has always been open about South Africa’s challenges. The organisation compiles an annual report based on economic and social data and shares it openly.
“We take the actual figures and present them to say, ‘This is what’s really happening.’ Our message has been very consistent: we are trying to find solutions in the country where we are.”
Moreover, Human explained that recent criticism from President Trump and his executive orders stemmed from the rhetoric and actions of senior South African politicians, not external manipulation.
“We think the result of this past few weeks of executive orders against South Africa can be placed squarely on the conduct of the ANC themselves,” Human said.
“It ranges from the land expropriation act and the rhetoric on land. It is in relation to military cooperation with US adversaries, it’s in relation to the legal actions that the South African government has taken and also in relation to voting patterns in the United Nations.
“That has placed a searchlight on the South African government that led, we think, ultimately to the decisions that the Trump administration has made.”
