By Zukile Majova
- Only 49 Afrikaners accepted Trump’s refugee offer, the rest say they’re staying and fighting for change.
- Farmers are demanding action on crime, bad roads, poor market access and government delays.
Hundreds of commercial farmers have rejected United States President Donald Trump’s offer to relocate to America as refugees, making it clear that they’re not about to run away from their country.
Just 49 Afrikaners boarded a flight to the US on Sunday. The rest stayed behind and gave Trump’s offer the middle finger.
At the NAMPO Harvest Day in Bothaville, Free State, farmers told Deputy President Paul Mashatile they’re committed to South Africa, but furious about crime, poor roads, and government inaction.
South Africa sees 70 killings a day, and rural farmers say they’ve been left to fend for themselves.
“Safety and security in rural areas is a major concern,” said Grain SA chairperson Richard Krige. Farmers say they want to build a better country, but they can’t do it alone.
Mashatile tried to ease tensions over the new Expropriation Act, promising there would be no land grabs. “The farmers that we met here are saying they are happy to stay in South Africa. All they need is for us to work with them to address the challenges that we face,” he said.
But farmers are fed up. They say they’re still battling the same problems year after year: violent attacks, crumbling rural roads, no access to global markets, and a finance system that doesn’t work for them.

Meanwhile, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni slammed Trump’s refugee offer, calling it “misinformed” and “unfounded”.
She said Afrikaners don’t meet the definition of refugees under international law, and the cabinet is shocked by the move.
The police have also rejected claims that there’s targeted violence or genocide against white farmers.
Still, Trump has halted US funding to South Africa, pulling out R8-billion in HIV/Aids support. He’s also threatening to slap 31% tariffs on South African exports.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to meet Trump on Wednesday, 21 May, with trade and the Expropriation Act high on the agenda.
Pictured above: Deputy President Paul Mashatile attending the farmers’ expo in Bothaville, Free State
Image source: @Goverment_ZA