Latest news with #Afrikaaner
TimesLIVE
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
The power of Klippies and Coke
Ever since the news of the49 Afrikaners landing in the US, I noticed I know precious little about Afrikaner culture and the Afrikaans language. This is despite my passing it in school and being a resident of Boksburg. To right this, I have borrowed from the out-of-favour red beret cum MK Party alleged usurper Floyd Shivambu and have embarked on a lis tening assignment to better understand the deep connections I share with my Afrikaaner broederen. Recently I was at a rugby game and spent the afternoon chewing on biltong, gyrating to Bernice West's Komma Nader and calling random people china. It was great. I have also been reliably informed that Klippies and Coke is a national treasure. One toppie went as far as telling me he could forgo water and food the entire day, but would be right as rain with this beverage in hand. His missus nodded in agreement, so it was hard for me to counter with half-cooked facts about alcohol poisoning and the dangers of being in the grandstands while under the influence. Falling to his death was the least of his worries. Seems my chinas just love having fun. They organise impromptu braais in the parking lot, they have all agreed the Toyota Hilux is God's gift to motoring, and will do almost anything for you when you mention Nelson Mandela. One thing I am battling with, however, are the very short shorts and high socks. We are in the middle of winter and though everyone and their dog is walking around in thick jackets and boots, I spotted a few chinas bare chested in khaki shorts traversing the isles of the stadium barefoot. The Springboks were thrashing the Italians so I figured they were high on Bokke fever. That night I had the strangest of dreams though. I woke up in a sweat and wondered if I should consult those people who read cards or decipher dreams. Ever notice how real dreams feel when you're sleeping, but when you wake up they are the height of nonsense? This was the case with mine. In the dream I had just woken up and was making a cup of coffee when I heard the gate open. I expected the alarm to go off and when it didn't, I raced to the keypad, saw it had been tampered with and pressed the panic button. Shortly after, Gert, a burly Afrikaans man, sped in and jumped out of his Renault Kwid, gun in hand. I peeped through the window and gestured in the direction of the criminals who were about to make off with my pot plants and garden sheers. That is when the dream took the strangest of turns. I love those plants, and I was itching to see Gert mete out some Bruce Lee style kicking and jumping, but he stopped abruptly, holstered the gun and calmy spoke in Afrikaans, urging the guys to stop what they were doing and leave at once. I was furious, but I don't know a word of Afrikaans. Yes, I could hear what he was saying, but speaking was another story. Dreams are like that. I peered through the door and yelled: 'Skiet hom, Gert, skiet hom.' That's when Gert looked at me, broke out in song and started dancing to Komma Nader. Soon we were all jorling and having a great time passing around Klippies and Coke. While I won't be wearing shorts in this weather anytime soon, I look forward to hosting a braai this summer. So don't be surprised when you hear me call you china, munch biltong relentlessly and forgo water for some Klippies.
Time Out
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Ongetem: Bertus Basson goes untamed in the city
'Restaurants shouldn't always have a concept. Sometimes, they should just have delicious food.' That's Bertus Basson - straight-talking, a proudly local Afrikaaner, and now officially on Cape Town turf with Ongetem as his first sit-down city restaurant. It's not just a new chapter in his food empire - it's a full-throttle, fire-cooked, hip-hop-soundtracked rally cry for locals who simply want to eat well, without the pretence (don't be surprised by the cowhide over your table). Located inside the new Hilton Canopy Hotel on Park Road in Gardens - Ongetem (Afrikaans for untamed) is gritty, playful, and living up to its name. 'There's already enough fancy-smansy in Cape Town,' says Bertus. 'We wanted to build something for South Africans — where you can grab a burger and a martini on a weeknight or bring your missus for date night.' He's not exaggerating - it's the kind of spot where you can rock up in boots or heels, stay for cocktails, or order a two-course including a cheese burger (R130) and soufflé (R140), and still afford rent. This is Basson's shot at building that ' reasonable middle ' in Cape Town dining, the kind of place he believes locals should be happy to pop into at least twice a week. Fire and food that doesn't F...(aff) around! If you've eaten at any of Basson's other restaurants - Eike, Spek & Bone, De Vrije Burger - you'll know he doesn't repeat himself. 'All of our restaurants are different. It keeps us from getting bored.' At Ongetem, he's dialled into raw, relaxed energy. You'll find a rebellious aesthetic, where biker grease is polished by vintage chrome wall art with petrolhead flair, all accentuated by sleek finishes and warm lighting. It's where a large plate serves up juicy mature steak from top suppliers, together with flatbreads and even banana splits for dessert - including soft-serve made in-house, naturally. One standout? The soufflé - a legendary dish from his Overture days that made a surprise comeback. 'We were tired of soufflés, so we killed it off at Chorus. But the team here learned quickly and are amazing - it was fun to bring it back.' A restaurant where Bertus wants to hang out Built in partnership with the Hilton, Ongetem is a hotel restaurant meets biker bar - but in that off beat I-could-eat-here-in-jeans-or-a-suit kind of way. There's no buffet, it's something Bertus insisted on. Breakfast is plated and proper as he and the team are serious about serving on-point poached eggs. The space is safe and full of small luxury touches - such as direct lift access, so you don't get soaked on a winter night out. And while it's housed in an international, 150-bed hotel, the heart is unapologetically local. "It's the kind of place where I want to hang out, that's important to me. I wanted something produce-driven and simple — just lekker food.' The team of young chefs behind the pass? 'Amazing, hungry to learn and hardworking. It's been a joy putting this team together," he adds. On food trends, locals, and his legacy True to form, Basson has no time for chasing trends. 'We're not chocolate. We're not here to make everyone happy. If you try to be everything to everyone, you end up being nothing for nobody.' Instead, he's focused on purpose. 'You go to South China Dim Sum Bar for dim sum. You don't ask Ed for a burger. I don't go to Obi for pizza — I go for broth and sushi. Same thing here — come to Ongetem to eat good food, done our way.' His way includes dishes like whole grilled baby chicken, pork neck and that burger he's quietly obsessed with. 'I like the burger here a lot,' he grins. The restaurant also prides itself on its focus on mature beef and "not (being) afraid of just putting a piece of meat on a plate". Bertus shares that he splits his time between Stellenbosch and Cape Town, and eats like someone who lives for food, not fuss. "Stellenbosch really is the food capital of South Africa to be honest with you. It's an amazing place. I still think De Vrije makes my favourite burger. But I also love Clarkes in Bree - great vibe and it's all about community which we really like." "Ramen Head - whether at the Oranjezicht Market or their bricks and mortar store. We're very lucky. Cape Town's just a cool city to eat in.' Final thoughts? Food should be fun Fun is a word Bertus uses often during our sit down. At Ongetem, he wants you to drop in without ceremony, eat something delicious, and maybe have a little whisky or soft serve on the way out. 'We're not building rockets. We do small plates you share for first courses, little flatbreads, big steaks with the fire, a few large plates, simple desserts. It just works, and that's the energy."In this instance, mission accomplished.
Newsweek
16-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Mark Carney Cosies Up to South Africa After Trump Fallout
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Canadian Prime Minister gave South African President Cyril Ramaphosa a warm welcome at the G7 summit in Calgary, less than a month after Ramaphosa's tense White House meeting with President Donald Trump. "It is a great honor," Carney told Ramaphosa on Sunday. "I've been a long admirer of your leadership of South Africa." Why It Matters In May, Trump alleged that a genocide against white Afrikaaner people is taking place in South Africa and has accepted more than 60 into the United States as refugees. During Ramaphosa's visit to the White House, Trump called for the lights to be dimmed and made the South African delegation and all the reporters in the Oval Office watch clips of Julius Malema, the head of the growing opposition party the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), chant "kill the Boer, kill the farmer." Newsweek has previously broken down the history the chant and South Africa's legal rulings on it. President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, left, meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, as the G7 gets under way in Calgary, Canada, on June 15, 2025. President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, left, meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, as the G7 gets under way in Calgary, Canada, on June 15, 2025. AP Ramaphosa has repeatedly made it clear that his priority is to smooth over relations with America in the hope of coming to an agreement on trade and getting Trump to attend the G20 summit, which will be hosted in South Africa in November. Meanwhile, America and Canada are still reeling from their trade war, temporarily halted by a 90-day pause on tariff implementation. What To Know Carney shook Ramaphosa's hand, welcoming him to Canada. "We've met a bit in the past," Carney said. "And I've been a long admirer of your leadership of South Africa and now your leadership of the G20." "And the world is very much in your hands at a crucial time," Carney continued. "And if I may say, from a Canadian perspective, the strength of the ties between our countries are great, including down to the level of assistance in natural disasters." Ramaphosa responded by praising "the continued wonderful bilateral relations between Canada and South Africa." "We've had a long, long relationship and we're very proud of the way that we deal with each other," he continued. Ramaphosa has said several times that he believes his meeting at the White House was a success. "Many people were very critical of our going there, and some were even saying we were going cap in hand and what-have-you," he told reporters on June 10. "We were not." He stressed that he was the one who asked to visit Trump because he wanted "serious engagement" with America on trade and the G20 summit. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio posting on X in February said: "I will NOT attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg. South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote 'solidarity, equality, & sustainability.' In other words: DEI and climate change. My job is to advance America's national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism." I will NOT attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg. South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote 'solidarity, equality, & sustainability.' In other words: DEI and climate change. My job is to advance America's national interests, not… — Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 5, 2025 When Trump was asked whether he would be going to the G20 summit at Ramaphosa's White House meeting, he answered: "It's important that the United States in involved, I think. Without the United States, I really believe it's not very important—it's not the same meeting." What People Are Saying Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's office said in a statement: "The Prime Minister and the President discussed the strong and growing partnership between Canada and South Africa, with increased co-operation in wildfire management, technology, and trade and investment. "The leaders discussed advancing shared priorities under their G7 and G20 presidencies, such as energy security, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and climate resilience, including wildfires. They agreed to enhance economic co-operation between Canada and South Africa." South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told local reporters on June 10: "I'm hoping that when we meet the various other leaders of various countries who are part of the G7, we'll be able to interact meaningfully with them." What Happens Next Whether Canada and South Africa will develop a closer relationship in the midst of the tension with America is yet to be seen. All eyes are on the G7, which Trump has expressed optimism about. "I think we'll have a few new trade deals," Trump told reporters at the White House on Sunday as he departed for the summit. The summit agenda encompasses a broad range of pressing issues, including fairness in global trade, critical minerals access, illegal migration, drug smuggling, and international security.
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Ernie Els and Retief Goosen's Trump Visit Sparks Backlash-'Quite Troubling'
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa took golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen to his White House meeting with Donald Trump but there has been some backlash to what they said there. Trump had asked Ramaphosa to bring along the sportsmen for the Oval Office meeting on Wednesday and while many South Africans praised Els and Goosen for voicing their concerns about violence in the country, others spoke out against them. Newsweek has contact Els and Goosen, via email, for comment. The hope was that Els and Goosen—two Afrikaaner golfers who have eight major championship wins between them—would help to woo Trump, a keen golfer who owns two golf courses. "If there was Afrikaaner farmer genocide, I can bet you these three gentlemen would not be here," Ramaphosa said referring to Els, Goosen and South African billionaire Johann Rupert. The genocide comment referred to claims about attacks on white farmers in South Africa. However, some South Africans feel the golfers "didn't do much good," posting their criticism on social media. Els said he was a proud South African and acknowledged Ramaphosa's role in the anti-apartheid struggle, before going on to say: "I know there's a lot of anger through the transition—there was a lot of stuff happening in the apartheid days. You know we grew up in the apartheid era, but I don't think two wrongs makes a right." He went on to say later: "I feel we need the U.S. to push this thing through. We've got a great ally—the U.S. has always been an ally of South Africa for a very long time, even in the days of the war in Angola, you know you guys helped us. So, very important for us to have your support and get the change we need." Goosen detailed his life in the farmland area of Polokwane and said that while his family "live a great life despite everything going on," they have been attacked. "They're trying to burn the farms down to chase you away, so it is a concern to try and make a living as a farmer," he added. Matšhela Koko, a former executive at Eskom, South Africa's state-owned electricity utility, wrote on X: "Ernie Els expressed his gratitude to Donald Trump for the United States' support of South Africa during the conflict in Angola. This situation is quite troubling. These people still miss Apartheid South Africa." South Africa's apartheid regime got involved in the Angolan Civil War—a Cold War proxy conflict that erupted after Angola gained independence from Portuguese colonial rule in 1975—to fight the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola, a Marxist party. While America did not deploy its own forces alongside apartheid South Africa, it did provide support that bolstered the country's intervention. Several other South Africans referenced Els' nod to this relationship in their critiques, including writer Sizwe Sikamusi, who said: "Ernie Els made this clear when [he] thanked Donald Trump for the United States 'helping' the Apartheid regime in Angola. By doing this, Els revealed the persistence of a parallel Afrikaner consciousness that remembers Apartheid not with shame, but with pride and nostalgia." "For Els to thank the US for Angola is to openly align with the Apartheid regime's logic and to see that period not as a shameful episode of regional imperialism, but as a proud moment of Western solidarity and military action," Sikamusi added. He also said: "While Black South Africans are often urged to 'move on,' 'focus on the future,' or 'stop living in the past,' White South Africans, particularly within the Afrikaner establishment, continue to carry, revere, and even celebrate their past." Entrepreneur Lynette Engelbrecht wrote: "The golfers were there by Trump's request so of course they didn't do us much good." Writer and media figure Mvelase Peppetta said: "Ernie Els waxing about the good old days of the Border Wars in the Oval Office is why I never 100% trust a white person." "There are so many nice things he could've said about U.S./SA relations & he chooses to go back to when the U.S.A was supporting the apartheid regime," said the activist, who is followed on X by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the party featured in most of the four-minute video Trump played during the meeting showing its leader, Julius Malema chanting "kill the Boer." Newsweek has broken down the history and legal context of the controversial phrase, which has recently been deliberated on in a South African court. In 2022 the Equality Court of South Africa ruled that the chant does not constitute hate speech. Malema argued that the chant was not literal, rather that it was "directed at the system of oppression." EFF fan Rushé Cawa took aim at Goosen, writing on X: "I never want to see Retief Goosen in this country again." The EFF and Malema have repeatedly criticized the South African delegation that visited Washington, saying South Africa had been "embarrassed" and calling the meeting an "interaction dominated by white privileged men, who have amassed wealth at the expense of African people." Sihle Lonzi, the head of the EFF's Students' Command, posted a photo of Els, Goosen and Rupert, saying: "Cyril Ramaphosa has surrendered South Africa's Foreign Policy to these three Golfers! Johann Rupert, Ernie Els, and Retief Goosen." Although Rupert is not a golfer he serves as chairman of the South African PGA Tour and chairman of the South African Golf Development Board. Not all South Africans agreed with the criticism of the golfers. Katia Beeden, a campaigner for "persecuted minority South Africans" and spokesperson for Amerikaners, a group that supports "disenfranchised South Africans seeking a new future in the United States" praised how the meeting went. "It was very intense, and I think it was very brave, and necessary, and it was the first time ever the ANC and Cyril Ramaposa have been called out for their crimes," she told Newsweek. "So, yeah, I am absolutely delighted that the rot and the corruption and the death has been called out and exposed for the world to see. And let's hope that it's going to bring out positive change," she added. Volkstaat, an account advocating for "independence and freedom for Afrikaaners," wrote on X: "This is pure gold. Ramaphosa brought two white Pro golfers (Retief Goosen and one other) to show there's no systemic genocide of whites. This backfired when Retief told everyone his dad's farmer friends were murdered." Gilbert Martin, the founder of the group We Are South Africans (the largest independent civil-society movement in South Africa), thanked Els, Goosen and the others present at the White House in a Facebook post praising the meeting. "Did anyone notice that during the media briefing between South Africa and the United States, not just one but our entire government, including the official ruling party, opposition, ministers, organized labour, sportspeople, and big business, were all present in the White House Media Room," he said. "They openly discussed our many pressing issues, with each of them speaking honestly about the concerns raised by the United States." Els said: "We proud South Africans. I still have my South African passport. We travel with these passport and I got my visa here. So we wanna see things get better in our home country, that's the bottom line. "It's been 35 years since the transition. President Ramaphosa was in the middle of the transition at the time, in 1990, and before that. So it's been 35 years of ANC government and I know there's a lot of anger through the transition – there was a lot of stuff happening in the apartheid days. You know we grew up in the apartheid era, but I don't think two wrongs makes a right. "You know, President Mandela, when he came out of prison for all that time, didn't come out with hatred, you know, and really unified our nation through sport. You know we won the Rugby World Cup in '95." He went on: "We won the African Nations Cup in soccer, you know we've won some majors as golfers and so forth. So what I'm trying to say is – this has been a long time coming. That's why we really wanted to meet you, meet the administration and see our way forward, because we still want see our country flourish. You know, we've got so many great things going on – businesses getting involved with government, farming, farmers are getting involved in local municipalities trying to rebuild some of the infrastructure that's been decaying for a long time. So there's a lot of co-existence going on and help from a lot of areas. But we need – I feel we need the U.S. to push this thing through. We've got a great ally – the U.S. has always been an ally of South Africa for a very long time, even in the days of the war in Angola, you know you guys helped us. So, very important for us to have your support and get the change we need." Goosen said: "I grew up in an area in South Africa that is a farmland area – Polekwane – and there is some issues up there, obviously. My dad was a property developer as well as part-time farmer and yeah, some of his buddy farmers got killed. The farm is still going, my brothers run it. But that's a constant battle with farms trying to get – they're trying to burn the farms down to chase you away, so it is a concern to try and make a living as a farmer. And, at the end of the way, you know, without farmers, there's no food on the plate. So we need the farmers. "You know, food and fresh water is the most important thing in life. Without those two things, you can't survive." Trump then asked: "Your family and your brothers—do they feel safe on the farm?" Goosen answered: "They live behind electric fences you know, tryna be at night safe. But it is constant, whenever you leave, that something could happen. Both of them have been attacked in their houses, my mom's been attacked... It is difficult but you know the guys live a great life despite everything going on." Related Articles Ex-Trump Adviser Fact-Checks 'White Genocide' Claim-'Just Not True'Hundreds of Gold Miners Trapped Underground RescuedThe 1600: Trump's Tax Bill Clears House in Razor-Thin VoteWhite House Lashes Out Over South Africa Video 'Unsubstantiated' Comments 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Ernie Els and Retief Goosen's Trump Visit Sparks Backlash—'Quite Troubling'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa took golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen to his White House meeting with Donald Trump but there has been some backlash to what they said there. Trump had asked Ramaphosa to bring along the sportsmen for the Oval Office meeting on Wednesday and while many South Africans praised Els and Goosen for voicing their concerns about violence in the country, others spoke out against them. Newsweek has contact Els and Goosen, via email, for comment. South African businessman Johann Rupert, left, and South African golfers Retief Goosen, center, and Ernie Els, right, look on as President Donald Trump meets South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the... South African businessman Johann Rupert, left, and South African golfers Retief Goosen, center, and Ernie Els, right, look on as President Donald Trump meets South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 2025. More AP The Context The hope was that Els and Goosen—two Afrikaaner golfers who have eight major championship wins between them—would help to woo Trump, a keen golfer who owns two golf courses. "If there was Afrikaaner farmer genocide, I can bet you these three gentlemen would not be here," Ramaphosa said referring to Els, Goosen and South African billionaire Johann Rupert. The genocide comment referred to claims about attacks on white farmers in South Africa. However, some South Africans feel the golfers "didn't do much good," posting their criticism on social media. Els said he was a proud South African and acknowledged Ramaphosa's role in the anti-apartheid struggle, before going on to say: "I know there's a lot of anger through the transition—there was a lot of stuff happening in the apartheid days. You know we grew up in the apartheid era, but I don't think two wrongs makes a right." He went on to say later: "I feel we need the U.S. to push this thing through. We've got a great ally—the U.S. has always been an ally of South Africa for a very long time, even in the days of the war in Angola, you know you guys helped us. So, very important for us to have your support and get the change we need." Goosen detailed his life in the farmland area of Polokwane and said that while his family "live a great life despite everything going on," they have been attacked. "They're trying to burn the farms down to chase you away, so it is a concern to try and make a living as a farmer," he added. The Backlash Matšhela Koko, a former executive at Eskom, South Africa's state-owned electricity utility, wrote on X: "Ernie Els expressed his gratitude to Donald Trump for the United States' support of South Africa during the conflict in Angola. This situation is quite troubling. These people still miss Apartheid South Africa." Ernie Els expressed his gratitude to Donald Trump for the United States' support of South Africa during the conflict in Angola. During the battle of Cuito Cuanavale, apartheid South Africa was involved in a frontline war against the Cuban forces fighting alongside the FAPLA of… — Engineer Matšhela Koko, MBL (@koko_matshela) May 21, 2025 South Africa's apartheid regime got involved in the Angolan Civil War—a Cold War proxy conflict that erupted after Angola gained independence from Portuguese colonial rule in 1975—to fight the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola, a Marxist party. While America did not deploy its own forces alongside apartheid South Africa, it did provide support that bolstered the country's intervention. Several other South Africans referenced Els' nod to this relationship in their critiques, including writer Sizwe Sikamusi, who said: "Ernie Els made this clear when [he] thanked Donald Trump for the United States 'helping' the Apartheid regime in Angola. By doing this, Els revealed the persistence of a parallel Afrikaner consciousness that remembers Apartheid not with shame, but with pride and nostalgia." "For Els to thank the US for Angola is to openly align with the Apartheid regime's logic and to see that period not as a shameful episode of regional imperialism, but as a proud moment of Western solidarity and military action," Sikamusi added. While Black South Africans are often urged to 'move on,' 'focus on the future,' or 'stop living in the past,' White South Africans, particularly within the Afrikaner establishment, continue to carry, revere, and even celebrate their past. Ernie Els made this clear when thanked… — sizwe sikamusi (@SizweLo) May 22, 2025 He also said: "While Black South Africans are often urged to 'move on,' 'focus on the future,' or 'stop living in the past,' White South Africans, particularly within the Afrikaner establishment, continue to carry, revere, and even celebrate their past." Entrepreneur Lynette Engelbrecht wrote: "The golfers were there by Trump's request so of course they didn't do us much good." Writer and media figure Mvelase Peppetta said: "Ernie Els waxing about the good old days of the Border Wars in the Oval Office is why I never 100% trust a white person." "There are so many nice things he could've said about U.S./SA relations & he chooses to go back to when the U.S.A was supporting the apartheid regime," said the activist, who is followed on X by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the party featured in most of the four-minute video Trump played during the meeting showing its leader, Julius Malema chanting "kill the Boer." Newsweek has broken down the history and legal context of the controversial phrase, which has recently been deliberated on in a South African court. In 2022 the Equality Court of South Africa ruled that the chant does not constitute hate speech. Malema argued that the chant was not literal, rather that it was "directed at the system of oppression." EFF fan Rushé Cawa took aim at Goosen, writing on X: "I never want to see Retief Goosen in this country again." The EFF and Malema have repeatedly criticized the South African delegation that visited Washington, saying South Africa had been "embarrassed" and calling the meeting an "interaction dominated by white privileged men, who have amassed wealth at the expense of African people." Sihle Lonzi, the head of the EFF's Students' Command, posted a photo of Els, Goosen and Rupert, saying: "Cyril Ramaphosa has surrendered South Africa's Foreign Policy to these three Golfers! Johann Rupert, Ernie Els, and Retief Goosen." Although Rupert is not a golfer he serves as chairman of the South African PGA Tour and chairman of the South African Golf Development Board. South African Support For Ernie Els and Retief Goosen Not all South Africans agreed with the criticism of the golfers. Katia Beeden, a campaigner for "persecuted minority South Africans" and spokesperson for Amerikaners, a group that supports "disenfranchised South Africans seeking a new future in the United States" praised how the meeting went. "It was very intense, and I think it was very brave, and necessary, and it was the first time ever the ANC and Cyril Ramaposa have been called out for their crimes," she told Newsweek. "So, yeah, I am absolutely delighted that the rot and the corruption and the death has been called out and exposed for the world to see. And let's hope that it's going to bring out positive change," she added. Volkstaat, an account advocating for "independence and freedom for Afrikaaners," wrote on X: "This is pure gold. Ramaphosa brought two white Pro golfers (Retief Goosen and one other) to show there's no systemic genocide of whites. This backfired when Retief told everyone his dad's farmer friends were murdered." This is pure gold. Ramaphosa brought two white Pro golfers (Retief Goosen and one other) to show there's no systemic genocide of whites. This backfired when Retief told everyone his dad's farmer friends were murdered. — Volkstaat (@Volkstaat10) May 22, 2025 Gilbert Martin, the founder of the group We Are South Africans (the largest independent civil-society movement in South Africa), thanked Els, Goosen and the others present at the White House in a Facebook post praising the meeting. "Did anyone notice that during the media briefing between South Africa and the United States, not just one but our entire government, including the official ruling party, opposition, ministers, organized labour, sportspeople, and big business, were all present in the White House Media Room," he said. "They openly discussed our many pressing issues, with each of them speaking honestly about the concerns raised by the United States." What Did Ernie Els and Retief Goosen Say In Full? Els said: "We proud South Africans. I still have my South African passport. We travel with these passport and I got my visa here. So we wanna see things get better in our home country, that's the bottom line. "It's been 35 years since the transition. President Ramaphosa was in the middle of the transition at the time, in 1990, and before that. So it's been 35 years of ANC government and I know there's a lot of anger through the transition – there was a lot of stuff happening in the apartheid days. You know we grew up in the apartheid era, but I don't think two wrongs makes a right. "You know, President Mandela, when he came out of prison for all that time, didn't come out with hatred, you know, and really unified our nation through sport. You know we won the Rugby World Cup in '95." He went on: "We won the African Nations Cup in soccer, you know we've won some majors as golfers and so forth. So what I'm trying to say is – this has been a long time coming. That's why we really wanted to meet you, meet the administration and see our way forward, because we still want see our country flourish. You know, we've got so many great things going on – businesses getting involved with government, farming, farmers are getting involved in local municipalities trying to rebuild some of the infrastructure that's been decaying for a long time. So there's a lot of co-existence going on and help from a lot of areas. But we need – I feel we need the U.S. to push this thing through. We've got a great ally – the U.S. has always been an ally of South Africa for a very long time, even in the days of the war in Angola, you know you guys helped us. So, very important for us to have your support and get the change we need." Goosen said: "I grew up in an area in South Africa that is a farmland area – Polekwane – and there is some issues up there, obviously. My dad was a property developer as well as part-time farmer and yeah, some of his buddy farmers got killed. The farm is still going, my brothers run it. But that's a constant battle with farms trying to get – they're trying to burn the farms down to chase you away, so it is a concern to try and make a living as a farmer. And, at the end of the way, you know, without farmers, there's no food on the plate. So we need the farmers. "You know, food and fresh water is the most important thing in life. Without those two things, you can't survive." Trump then asked: "Your family and your brothers—do they feel safe on the farm?" Goosen answered: "They live behind electric fences you know, tryna be at night safe. But it is constant, whenever you leave, that something could happen. Both of them have been attacked in their houses, my mom's been attacked... It is difficult but you know the guys live a great life despite everything going on."
