FW de Klerk Foundation Condemns Trump’s Claims of Afrikaner Persecution

In the wake of Donald Trump’s recent statements alleging that Afrikaners are being “killed and slaughtered” and that their farms are being “illegally confiscated,” the FW de Klerk Foundation has called for South Africans to come together and reject these claims.

Christo van der Rheede, the foundation’s Executive Director, said in a statement that it’s crucial for all citizens to stand united against false narratives about Afrikaner persecution.

“It is now very important for all South African citizens to unite and refute the statements by President Donald Trump, his Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others… This is simply not true!”

Rejecting False Claims Doesn’t Ignore Real Challenges

Van der Rheede was clear that rejecting Trump’s claims does not mean South Africans ignore the country’s real problems, such as high levels of corruption, violence, poor service delivery, and slow economic growth.

“All South Africans across racial lines must unite and raise their discontent with these challenges, and exercise their constitutional right to elect credible representatives in the upcoming local elections,” he said.

While acknowledging that the ANC must be held accountable for its role in past governance, Van der Rheede insisted it is wrong to portray white South Africans or Afrikaners as targets of systemic persecution.

“Yes, the ANC as the sole governing party before the formation of the GNU must be exposed and held accountable. However, it is simply not true that there are persecutions of white people in general and Afrikaners in particular,” he added.

Concerns Over G20 Boycott

The foundation also warned that Trump’s decision to boycott the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg could harm U.S. interests.

“South Africans must point out the risks that the United States faces should it not reconsider its position. The role of the G20 as a key driver of uniting the world is critical, and it will be very negative for the US and its business interests in South Africa if it continues to premise its reasons for staying away on falsehoods.”

Van der Rheede urged the Government of National Unity (GNU) to remain focused on constitutional principles and nation-building.

“Creating a safe, prosperous, and peaceful country for all who live in it, and fostering economic growth based on non-racialism, non-sexism, dignity, equality, and human rights should be the blueprint for taking South Africa forward.”

The Danger of Spreading Falsehoods

The foundation highlighted the risks of international misinformation, noting that false claims of persecution could damage goodwill, increase mistrust, and fuel polarization.

“The falsehoods of persecution and discrimination may destroy that goodwill because of mistrust, polarisation and hostility caused by it. This, neither the US nor South Africa can afford,” Van der Rheede said.

Context: Trump’s Statements

Trump’s comments came via his Truth Social account, where he labeled the G20 summit in Johannesburg a “total disgrace” due to alleged human rights abuses against Afrikaners. He also vowed that no U.S. officials would attend the summit as long as the situation continued.

The remarks follow tensions over Washington’s Afrikaner resettlement programme, which South African authorities have previously dismissed as baseless and misinformed.

A Call for Unity

The FW de Klerk Foundation’s statement underscores the need for South Africans to reject foreign misinformation while working together to address domestic challenges. Van der Rheede concluded with a reminder of the country’s resilience:

“The people of South Africa, despite the oppression, crude discrimination, and land dispossession they endured under apartheid, are forgiving, peace-loving, considerate people and remain loyal to the constitutional democracy that was founded three decades ago.”

Source: IOL

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