Staying or going? Orania residents on being Afrikaner 'refugees'
Residents of Orania – the Afrikaner only town located in the Northern Cape – are responding to US President Donald Trump's offer of 'refugee status' in the US.
And for many, that means staying behind in South Africa, and celebrating their 'freedom'.
Last week, 49 white South Africans arrived in America as part of the resettlement programme. The group claims to be victims of 'racial discrimination'.
On their official Facebook account, Orania town officials posed a question to their followers.
'Refugee or freedom', it asked.
In the comments section, residents of the Afrikaner-only town shared that they are mostly interested in staying in South Africa and preserving their culture and freedom.
Deon Kotze: 'Freedom. Abroad is not going to offer us freedom. We must consolidate if we want to survive as Afrikaners.'
Deon Domingo: 'Freedom. We are not moved by the enemy.'
Arthur Spies: 'Every country in the world has different problems, so I say we stay put.'
Andrew Lunt: 'Freedom! America is not freedom.'
Afrikaners: Vlugteling of Vryheid? Wat sê jy? Posted by Orania on Wednesday 14 May 2025
Speaking to political commentator Matt Gaetz last week, Orania Movement leader Joost Strydom stated that while Afrikaners were thankful for President Donald Trump's refugee status offer, they were interested in establishing a home for themselves in South Africa.
He told the One America News Network: 'What we really appreciate is that President Trump called us by our name. We are Afrikaners, we are a distinct people. A distinct group with a distinct language and culture
He continued: 'We are very thankful for that…but people need a place. And in that light, we ask for political recognition, specifically self-determination.
'Now we ask if there can be a Trump declaration stating that a national home for Afrikaners is a legitimate pursuit, and that they will support it with their best endevours'.
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