Confusion Over White Crosses: A Memorial Misrepresented by Trump

Rob Hoatson, who organized the white crosses memorial for murdered farmers, disputes Donald Trump’s assertion that they represent burial sites for targeted killings. Hoatson emphasizes the need for accurate representation and highlights the larger context of rural violence in South Africa.

The controversy surrounding a display of white crosses in South Africa continues to unfold following claims made by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The crosses, which Trump presented as evidence of targeted violence against white farmers during a tense meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, were described incorrectly as a “burial site.”

Rob Hoatson, the farmer who organized the memorial, clarified that the crosses were erected as a temporary memorial for Glen and Vida Rafferty, a couple murdered on their farm in 2020. “It’s not a burial site; it was a memorial,” Hoatson stated, aiming to correct Trump’s exaggerations. Hoatson expressed no issues with the video’s use without his consent but insisted that proper context be provided.

During the Oval Office meeting, Trump alleged that the memorial illustrated a systematic bias against white farmers in South Africa. “These are burial sites… over 1,000 white farmers have died…” Trump claimed, as he presented the footage to Ramaphosa. Hoatson’s comment on this was that while violence does exist against farmers, the portrayal must be rooted in facts.

In response to Trump’s comments, Ramaphosa acknowledged the existence of crime in South Africa but refuted the notion that only white individuals are victimized, stating, “the majority of those killed through criminal activity are black people.” South Africa’s crime statistics reflect a broader issue, with nearly 10,000 murders reported between October and December 2024, including those in rural spaces.

Some Afrikaner activists have embraced Trump’s remarks as a means to elevate the notion of farm attacks on a global platform, while others criticized the narrative as one fueled by misinformation. Notably, political commentator Pieter du Toit pointed out the years of exaggerated claims that have shaped international perceptions of the situation.

The white crosses, which spanned the roadside as a poignant reminder of the Raffertys' tragic fate, have since been taken down, marking the end of a temporary yet impactful memorial that has captured international attention.