Afrikaner group brief media on US trip
The delegation included Freedom Front Plus leader Corne Mulder; Dr Theo de Jager of the Southern African Agri Initiative; and Gerhard Papenfus from the National Employers' Association.
The group met with White House officials and other US stakeholders. The leaders say discussions focused on preconditions for normalising relations with the US.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Warning: SA 'refugees' will be DEPORTED over lies, ommissions
South African 'refugees' who resettle in the US will face deportation if authorities discover they have lied or omitted important information during their application process. Errol Langton, one of the first successful applicants, made the revelation in an interview marking his first three months in his adoptive country. Langton – an IT technician and 'leafy green farmer' – is now living in Alabama. In February, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order, granting refuge to Afrikaners or 'minorities', over his claims of 'racial discrimination' in South Africa. Speaking to US intel expert Chris Wyatt, Afrikaner 'refugee' Errol Langton shared his experience on applying to the resettlement programme. The IT businessman shared that authorities had explicitly warned them not to lie or omit any critical information. He said: 'They made it very clear that if they do find that something was a lie or significant enough, you can be deported. 'Afrikaner refugee' Errol Langton has shared an update about his life in the US. Images via YouTube screenshot He added: 'Don't try to embellish or blow it up to more than it was. Tell simple, straightforward facts'. Wyatt added that 'acts of omission' could also have serious implications. In April, the US Embassy warned South African visa applicants: 'If you submit fake documents, you are committing fraud and risking your future. We stay one step ahead of document vendors and adapt to emerging threats.' It added: 'Protect your future travel opportunities – tell the truth and do not provide fake documents.' The US Embassy has updated its refugee status programme application and announced that communication will be coordinated by RSC Africa, which manages all US-bound applicants from Africa. Applicants must fill in a statement of interest form, detailing how they are 'persecuted' or fear threats of persecution. This will be based on several factors, including race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a social group. Applicants will be called in for an interview, which could take place in either Sandton or Tshwane. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
3 days ago
- The South African
'Good life': Afrikaner 'refugee' shares update after US move
Errol Langton – an Afrikaner 'refugee' now living in the US – has shared an update about his life abroad. Almost three months ago, Langton was one of 49 white South Africans who applied for the refugee resettlement programme. In February, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order, granting refuge to Afrikaners or 'minorities', over his claims of 'racial discrimination' in South Africa. A second group of South Africans have since departed, with many more expected to follow. Speaking to US intel expert Chris Wyatt, 'Afrikaner refugee' Errol Langton shared an update about his life in his adoptive country. The IT businessman, who also owned a 'leafy green' farm, now lives in Birmingham, Alabama. In a clip posted on social media, Langton detailed the joys and challenges of the resettlement programme. Although his family members did not have social security numbers or a driver's license, they were covered by Medicaid for the first year of their stay. He also revealed how they had been temporarily provided financial assistance. Langton praised the 'efficient' government systems, particularly the healthcare. Despite the backlash of being labelled an 'Afrikaner refugee,' Langton revealed he had encountered helpful and friendly Americans. He said, 'People are very accommodating. People here want to help, they see the need, and they don't treat you like a leper. 'The kids have a good life here'. Of his frustrations, he said: 'The reality is that we're resettling our entire lives, and that's a huge challenge. There are some frustrations, but I downplay them, because I look at the positive'. During the clip, Errol Langton also addressed the backlash he's received after portraying himself as an 'Afrikaner refugee'. He said: 'I've been roasted in South Africa. People have said I'm not an Afrikaner, I'm not a farmer. It's not the case at all. The rhetoric and hate from that side is insane. Speaking to the New York Times, Langton claimed that he was a 'leafy greens' farmer from KwaZulu-Natal. However, his LinkedIn account listed his experience in the IT sector, where he owned a large business. Errol Langton is an Afrikaner 'refugee' who claims he was persecuted in South Africa. Images via Facebook: Errol Langton Many South Africans – including his stepdaughter – questioned his claims of being a 'farmer' and even an 'Afrikaner'. Some also called him 'opportunistic' for wanting to start again in another country, and in particular, a state – Alabama – where his own relatives immigrated to years ago. Speaking to eNCA's Annika Larson in June, Errol Langton rubbished reports that the group of 'refugees' consisted of white South African farmers. He said: 'That was never the mandate. It was minorities that were suffering persecution'. Of his own identity, he said: 'Yes, I'm an Afrikaner, yes, I'm a farmer. But by everybody else's decision? Maybe not so much'. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Ramaphosa remains hopeful in US tariff negotiations
President Cyril Ramaphosa is still hopeful that South Africa can find a way out of the US tariffs within the next seven days. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed hope that his administration will still be able to find a way out of the 30% tariffs that US President Donald Trump implemented on Friday, but to be effective within the next seven days from the deadline. In case South Africa fails to convince Trump, the Presidency said in a statement released on Friday that the government was finalising a package to support local companies affected by the tariffs. 'The package consists of a number of measures to assist companies, producers, and workers affected by the tariffs on SA exports to the US,' read the statement. Ramaphosa's office will announce the details of the measures in due course. The office said, according to Trump's Executive Order published late this week, the products affected by the tariffs when exported to the US market include copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, lumber articles, certain critical minerals, stainless steel scrap, and energy products. Addressing the media after the inauguration of Firoz Cachalia as the acting police minister on Friday, Ramaphosa said the seven days were the window period for the continuation of the engagements with the US. He stated that South Africa was not the worst affected among many countries by Trump's tariffs, although some countries fared slightly better. He said his government was in the process of holding discussions with the United States, as some local companies were dealing with the US customers. 'We export vehicles, steel, aluminum, and citrus, so we have to engage with them and find a way to reach a settlement. So, within the window that is still open, we are hoping that we will find a way to settle this matter. 'So intensive negotiations are under way,' said Ramaphosa. After his private meeting with Trump at the White House on May 21, Ramaphosa expressed hope that he had mended the relationship. The visit was prompted by allegations that South Africa was mistreating its Afrikaner citizens and that it was in support of US enemies. However, it became clear this week that Trump was still hostile when he told journalists that he thought he would send someone to represent him in the G20 Summit to be held in Johannesburg in November because he had problems with South Africa's 'very, very bad policies, where lots of people are being killed'. As the country was still counting days before the tariff deadline, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced that the country was swiftly expanding its global trade partnerships as a strategy to mitigate the impact of the US tariffs on its exports. He called on the country not to waste time by being overly reliant on the US market. Steenhuisen said the country was already strengthening its trade alliances with the likes of Chile, Peru, and New Zealand 'to jointly lobby for fair and stable trade treatment of fresh produce' through the Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters. He also said the state had finalised new phytosanitary protocols for the export of avocados to China, table grapes to Vietnam and the Philippines, and maize to India. Ramaphosa's administration said during its engagements with the US, it submitted a Framework Deal to enhance mutually beneficial trade and investment relations between the two countries. Ramaphosa was still optimistic that all channels of communication with Trump would remain open. 'Our negotiators are ready pending an invitation from the US. South Africa and the US trade relations are complementary in nature, and South African exports do not pose a threat to US industry,' read the statement. The government was using its diplomatic channels with the US to safeguard its national interests for ensuring that companies keep producing high-quality products destined for the world, to prevent job losses. The latest Executive Order stated that products that were already on their way to the US via vessels before 12h01 am, Eastern Daylight Time, seven days after Friday, and entered for consumption, or withdrawn from a warehouse for consumption, before 12h01am Eastern Daylight Time on October 5, 2025, will not be subject to the tariffs. In a joint statement issued on Friday, MPs DA MPs Toby Chance and Ryan Smith blamed Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau and International Relations and Cooperation's Ronald Lamola for failing to secure a trade deal with the US. 'An executive order from the White House last night makes clear that US-imposed tariffs are now a certainty, to be levied on South African goods and produce from 07 August 2025, due to the negligence and ineptitude of two ANC ministers and their departments. 'Both the departments of Trade, Industry & Competition (DTIC), and International Relations & Cooperation should hang their heads in profound shame today,' said the MPs. On July 29, the DTIC said the government was not going to retaliate against the tariffs, but was preparing itself for any scenario. 'We have put our best foot forward, bringing together the subject specialists within our ranks who have dug deep to ensure that our country is adequately prepared for a number of potential scenarios. We have planned for these scenarios and have not sat idly. 'We are working with other government departments on a response plan, which includes a support desk within the DTIC. Our response package also focuses on demand-side interventions in the impacted industries,' read the DTIC statement.
