The consequences of AfriForum’s alliance with Trump in South Africa

IN a world where misinformation can sway political tides, it is increasingly difficult to detect the wolves in sheep’s clothing. This was especially apparent this past week, following AfriForum’s infamous visit to Washington.

AfriForum, the pro-white Afrikaner group known for its absurdly contrarian position on national policies and discourses, has been severely criticised this week after its emboldened decision to appeal and ally itself with a figure whose own relationship with facts is questionable at best: US President Donald Trump.

This visit follows AfriForum’s lambasting of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent signing into law of the Expropriation Act, which allows the government to acquire land for public purposes, such as housing, conservation, and critical infrastructure.

Following this, the Afrikaner organisation appealed to Trump, claiming unethical and illegal practices by the still-new Government of National Unity (GNU), to which Trump hastily berated South Africa and Ramaphosa for perpetuating human rights violations against white farmers.

In fact, there are a plethora of personal reasons for a shrewd businessman like Trump to attack the policies and practices of sovereign nations all over the world. In our own nation, we have steadfastly stood against Israel’s war crimes at the International Court of Justice; we are the first African nation to ever preside over the G20, and our BRICS bloc has certainly taken new heights.

Nevertheless, the real reason behind Trump’s public disdain for the intricacies of South Africa’s governance is neither here nor there.

It is, however, a major issue for a South African organisation to completely bulldoze the pecking order, instead, to publicly disparage the systems and processes of a nation that has worked so arduously to achieve equality and non-discrimination. Truly, this is a reckless slap in our great Constitution’s face.

During the era of the apartheid regime, the nation was deeply fractured by racial tensions and heinous laws that sought—and succeeded—in completely disempowering the vast “black” majority of the nation. In fact, it was the apartheid state that inflicted some of the most extreme forms of human rights violations.

Today, more than 30 years after the dawn of democracy, intense racial tensions and systemic inequalities continue to persist in South Africa, with a system that still predominantly favours the white minority.

Yes, the nation has made significant strides in socio-political transformation, even achieving the unprecedented cooperation of the GNU and implementing critical reforms and policies. However, the immense majority of South Africa’s economic wealth remains in the hands of the white minority, with the top 0.1% of the population owning about one third of the nation’s wealth.

When we think about a mere 5% of the entire nation owning 85% of the country’s wealth in 2025, this is an atrocious reflection on the state of our nation and the values of equality, upon which we have built our entire democracy. It is vital that we, as a nation, differentiate between a time of criticism and discourse and a time of action and implementation. It is imperative that we support the efforts and the policies that seek to bring about equitable access and development.

South Africa has the largest economy in the continent, our population continues to significantly grow, and now more than ever, developmental policies and systems are critical to our social, political, economic, and institutional survival. Perhaps this is what AfriForum is lacking the sense to understand.

The white minority of South Africa, who make up less than 10% of the population, still hold a disproportionate share of the country’s wealth and systems, while about half of all black South Africans live below the poverty line. Land has been at the forefront of our national dialogues, particularly where reparations for apartheid are concerned. If AfriForum is intent on propagating falsehoods about the economic standing of white landowners in South Africa, there will certainly be disastrous consequences.

Now, at the close of the week, AfriForum has rightfully enraged the vast majority of the population and amassed widespread condemnation—from average netizens to Ramaphosa. Yet, I fear, the old proverb holds true for the Afrikaner organisation: “You can bring a donkey to the water, but you can’t make it drink.”

AfriForum has consistently proven their disdain for our democratic systems and institutions. The blatant undermining of the ruler of the nation has been widely viewed as treasonous and contemptuous of the highest order. In fact, Ramaphosa’s administration has been excessively tolerant of the antics of AfriForum.

In every grievance, there is a method of resolution, but this outlandish behaviour by AfriForum must be called to order. Our leaders in governance have been vocal about discouraging divisive ideologies such as those of AfriForum; however, at what point are bodies held accountable?

This is not AfriForum’s first desperate plea for external—powerful—intervention, and it will not be the last. If AfriForum can blatantly and persistently disrespect the highest office in the nation, why shouldn’t everybody else follow suit?

Yes, we live in a society where freedom of speech is upheld; however, we must always be weary of those who would rather chastise a public image than foster meaningful dialogue. Transformation is an arduous but critical undertaking in our society, and we need to be persistent in our drive towards realising it.

AfriForum and Solidarity’s agenda has been built upon racial superiority, division, and outdated ideals of segregation, whilst hiding behind the guise of “advocacy” for the “minority”. Their desperate bid to foster a narrative built on lies and distortions risks entrenching a dangerous precedent that could undermine global trust and diplomacy. As the world watches, one thing becomes crystal clear: the misuse of rhetoric in pursuit of power is a perilous game with no winner in sight.

* Tswelopele Makoe is a gender & social justice activist and the editor at Global South Media Network. She is a researcher and columnist, published weekly in the Sunday Independent, Independent Online (IOL), Global South Media Network (gsmn.co.za), Sunday Tribune, and Eswatini Daily News. She is also an Andrew W Mellon scholar at the Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice, UWC. The views expressed are her own.

** The views expressed here do not reflect those of the Sunday Independent, Independent Media, or IOL.