Trump’s Executive Order came barely a few days after President Ramaphosa had delivered a groundbreaking anti-imperialist State of the Nation Address in which he reassured his people that nothing would stand in his way from emancipating black South [GETTY]
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has successfully contained potential racial tensions in the country following intense reactions to the long-delayed enactment of the Land Expropriation Act, an issue that has drawn unwanted interference from US President Donald Trump.
The new law seeks to address long-standing land inequality in a nation where white South Africans, who make up just 7.2% of the population, own the vast majority of the land.
The legislation has been met with support from many black South Africans, who view it as a necessary step to correct historical injustices. However, it has drawn condemnation from white organisations such as AfriForum, as well as from the United States government.
Following extensive lobbying by AfriForum, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order imposing economic sanctions on South Africa. The US accused the country of persecuting white farmers but also cited South Africa’s support for Palestine, as well as its December 2023 decision to refer Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for alleged acts of genocide in Gaza.
“South Africa has taken positions against the United States and its allies,” Trump claimed. “Merely two months after the October 7th terrorist attacks on Israel, South Africa accused Israel, not Hamas, of genocide in the International Court of Justice. The recent Expropriation Act enables the government of South Africa to seize ethnic minority descendants of settler groups’ agricultural property without compensation.”
Despite the US stance, local experts and organisations argue that the Act does not constitute a land grab. According to a 2017 government land audit, white land ownership accounted for 72% of the country’s land, reinforcing the need for reform. The law, however, does not allow for arbitrary seizures but rather stipulates negotiations between the government and landowners.
Agri-SA, an organisation representing commercial farmers, many of whom are white, dismissed AfriForum’s claims.
“We take comfort in the fact that the Expropriation Act remains subject to Section 25 of the Constitution, which has not been amende,” said Johan Kotze, CEO of Agri-SAl “Importantly, Section 25 requires that compensation be just and equitable, ensuring a fair balance between the public interest and the rights of affected property owners.”
Kotze added that Agri-SA would monitor cases individually to ensure property rights remain protected under the Constitution.
‘False narrative on Afrikaners’
Nelson Mandela University political analyst Giovanni Poggi argued that Trump and his billionaire South African patron Elon Musk have promoted a false narrative about race relations in South Africa, exaggerating the impact of land reform.
“Perhaps SA-Palestine solidarity is a factor, but it is probably not the key factor,” Poggi told The New Arab.
“Trump’s administration has conjured up many irrational reasons to dislike South Africa. His views have been shaped by right-wing US media outlets like Fox News, which collaborate with AfriForum to spread misinformation about ‘white genocide’ in South Africa,” he added.
Poggi dismissed the notion that white South Africans were being persecuted, stating: “White people are still safe and privileged in South Africa. The country has a horrific violent crime rate affecting all ethnic groups.”
He also criticised AfriForum’s lobbying efforts, which have led to potential economic repercussions.
“AfriForum made a huge mistake without considering the implications of riling up a volatile US president. Now they’re backtracking because the US has threatened to sanction the AGOA trade deal, which would negatively impact their own white Afrikaans farmer supporters and hurt the South African economy.”
Despite pressure from Washington, Ramaphosa has remained steadfast in his commitment to land reform. In his State of the Nation Address on 6 February 2025, he defended the move, stating: “Black South Africans were deprived of land, of capital, of skills, of opportunities. Our economy was starved of the potential of its people. That is why we need to transform our economy and make it more inclusive. In the face of these challenges, we are witnessing the rise of nationalism and protectionism, the pursuit of narrow interests, and the decline of common cause. But we are not daunted. We will not be deterred.”
Poggi supported Ramaphosa’s approach, arguing that South Africa should not submit to Trump’s tactics.
“If Trump is committed to an ‘America First’ policy, South Africa cannot simply bow to his administration’s false narratives. Far-right US media has irresponsibly spread misinformation, and someone needs to challenge it,” he said.
