The South African government has reaffirmed that Afrikaners who relocated to the United States, or sought refugee status there, remain welcome to return home and will not face political persecution.
The statement follows reports that hundreds of South Africans who applied to resettle in the United States under a refugee programme aimed at minority groups had their visa applications rejected.
Speaking during a Cabinet media briefing on 30 July 2026, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said South Africa remains home to all its citizens, regardless of their political beliefs or personal views.
Cabinet Reaffirms Constitutional Rights For All South Africans
Ntshavheni said Cabinet had taken note of reports that some white South Africans who sought to relocate to the United States on the basis of allegations of a “white genocide” in South Africa had not been granted visas.
She reiterated the government’s position that South Africans who choose to return will enjoy the same constitutional protections as every other citizen.
“There is no place like home,” Ntshavheni said, adding that all South Africans remain free to return without fear of political persecution or suppression, in accordance with the laws of the Republic.
She stressed that constitutional rights apply equally to all citizens regardless of their political affiliations, and that South Africa remains committed to protecting democratic freedoms.
The minister also acknowledged that South Africa continues to face serious socio-economic challenges, including unemployment, poverty, inequality and crime, which affect communities across racial and social groups.
She said addressing these challenges requires cooperation between government, political parties, organised labour, business, civil society organisations and individual citizens.
Cabinet further called on South Africans to reject attempts to inflame racial divisions and instead recommit themselves to building a united, non-racial and prosperous society while recognising the continuing impact of apartheid and the need for redress.
US Refugee Policy Continues To Draw Attention
The latest comments come after reports that a number of South Africans seeking refugee status in the United States under a programme promoted by President Donald Trump had their applications declined.
According to media reports, some applicants had resigned from their jobs, sold personal belongings, completed orientation programmes and received required vaccinations before learning that their visa applications had been unsuccessful.
Earlier this year, the United States announced a policy shift giving priority consideration to refugee applications from Afrikaners, citing concerns over alleged race-based discrimination.
President Trump has repeatedly claimed that South Africa is experiencing a “white genocide” and that white farmers are being targeted and dispossessed.
The South African government has consistently rejected those claims, arguing that they lack credible evidence and have been widely discredited.
Government maintains that land reform policies apply broadly within the country’s legal framework and that violent crime remains a national challenge affecting people of all races rather than a single community.
The issue has become one of several sensitive topics shaping relations between Pretoria and Washington.
South Africa’s newly appointed ambassador to the United States, Roelf Meyer, recently said rebuilding diplomatic and trade relations would remain a priority while acknowledging that matters such as farm attacks, Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies and refugee admissions continue to require careful diplomatic engagement.
Source: The Presidency of South Africa; Cabinet media briefing.