Nearly 70,000 South Africans, predominantly Afrikaners, have expressed interest in relocating to the United States under an offer extended by former US President Donald Trump. This was disclosed by Neil Diamond, president of the South African Chamber of Commerce in the US, who confirmed that his organization submitted a list of 67,042 registrations of interest to the US embassy in Pretoria following Trump’s executive order issued on February 7.
According to Diamond, the majority of inquiries came from Afrikaners aged 25 to 45, many of whom have families with an average of two to three dependents. While specific professional backgrounds were not recorded, those interested cited concerns over land reform and their perceived treatment in South Africa as key motivations for seeking relocation. The chamber clarified that it neither encourages nor discourages migration but merely facilitated the process for those exploring the opportunity.
Should the applicants proceed, their cases will be vetted by US immigration authorities according to standard protocols. However, the chamber has now stepped back from the process, urging any future inquiries to be directed to the US embassy. Diamond emphasized that the organization would refocus on its core mandate of supporting South African businesses operating in the US and promoting tourism.
The potential exodus has sparked debate within South Africa, with some Afrikaner farming representatives stating they are reluctant to pursue refugee status. Theo de Jager, president of the Southern African Agricultural Initiative, revealed that while they have received around 50 inquiries on the matter, only one came from a commercial farmer. As discussions over land reform persist, the issue of emigration among South Africans remains a sensitive and evolving topic.
