Pretoria, South Africa – On Saturday, a large crowd of approximately one thousand people gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, showing their support for President Donald Trump following his comments on the treatment of white South Africans. The rally underscored the ongoing contentious debates surrounding land expropriation policies and farm attacks in the country.
The demonstrators, who are predominantly from the Afrikaner community, rallied in response to Trump’s criticisms of recent South African laws regarding land expropriation without compensation and the murders of farmers, a topic that has gained significant attention both locally and internationally. Walter Wobben, a 52-year-old cattle farm owner from Western Cape province, noted the significance of Trump’s support: “It’s the first time we’ve seen in my lifetime that a foreign president stands up for the Afrikaner people like what we’ve seen him do, so we have to support this,” he stated.
The backdrop to this demonstration is a nation grappling with one of the highest homicide rates in the world. According to the latest police statistics, nearly 28,000 murders were recorded in the year from February 2023 to February 2024. The Afrikaner community, particularly those involved in farming, feel particularly vulnerable and overlooked in the national dialogue on violence.
South Africa’s history of colonization and apartheid has left a legacy of racial inequality, particularly in land ownership. Government figures from 2017 indicate that while whites make up a little more than seven percent of the population, they owned 72 percent of agricultural land. Post-1994 laws aimed to redistribute land, previously expropriated under white minority rule, to address historical injustices. However, this has led to significant tension and fear among current landowners about their future security and rights.
Rose Basson, 64, a doctor of psychology turned chess teacher and another participant at the rally, expressed frustration with the lack of broader attention to farm attacks: “There are so many other things happening in South Africa, but nobody gives specific attention to farm killings,” she said. Basson’s sentiment captures a widespread perception among rally-goers that the plight of farmers, particularly those from the white community, is being ignored.
The rally in Pretoria is a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges that South Africa faces as it continues to navigate its fraught racial and historical landscape. It highlights the deep divisions and the ongoing struggle for a balanced approach to rectifying past injustices while ensuring a stable and inclusive future for all South Africans. As the country moves forward, the international attention and internal debates stirred by such demonstrations will play a crucial role in shaping its path toward reconciliation and equity.
