Following the arrival of 59 white South Africans granted refugee status in the U.S., President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the move, asserting that leaving the country is an act of cowardice and emphasizing his commitment to solving national issues rather than fleeing them.
Ramaphosa Labels Emigrating White South Africans as "Cowards," Sparking Controversy
Ramaphosa Labels Emigrating White South Africans as "Cowards," Sparking Controversy
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa criticizes a group of white Afrikaners relocating to the U.S., labeling them "cowards" amid complex racial tensions.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has recently ignited controversy with his remarks about a group of 59 white South Africans who relocated to the United States, describing their decision to emigrate as an act of cowardice. The Afrikaners arrived in the U.S. after receiving refugee status from former President Donald Trump, who argued they were fleeing racial persecution in South Africa. Ramaphosa, however, vigorously defended his belief that citizens must remain and tackle the challenges within their homeland rather than seek refuge elsewhere.
The president stated, “When you run away, you are a coward, and that’s a real cowardly act,” emphasizing the resilience needed to confront systemic issues that still linger since apartheid ended over three decades ago. He characterized the relocation as a "sad moment" for those departing, underscoring the need for all South Africans, irrespective of race, to engage in the collective effort to redress historical inequities.
Trump and his ally Elon Musk have previously made assertions suggesting a "genocide" of white farmers in South Africa. These claims, however, have faced significant skepticism and criticism from various quarters, including international observers who argue that the narrative simplifies the complex socio-economic landscape in the country. The U.S. government has also accused South Africa of land expropriation without compensation, although the Ramaphosa administration has clarified that no land has been seized under a controversial law he signed earlier this year allowing such actions.
The group’s arrival in the U.S. was met with warm welcomes from U.S. officials, who highlighted their narratives of suffering under violence and discrimination in South Africa. Amid the ongoing tensions, Ramaphosa conveyed to the media that he firmly believes the claims surrounding persecution of Afrikaners lack veracity, stating, “We have never driven them out of our country.”
As the situation develops, the South African president expressed his intention to discuss the matter directly with his U.S. counterpart in the near future, aiming to mend diplomatic rifts exacerbated by these contentious issues. While some South Africans echoed Ramaphosa's sentiments, others took to social media to rebuke the characterization of emigrants as cowards, revealing a deeply divided public perception on the matter.
