African Farmers' Plight: A Call To Action For Inclusivity

Holifil

30 Mar, 2025

Theo de Jager, the leader of the Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI), shares his thoughts on Afrikaners contemplating a move to the U.S.
He penned an open letter to former U.S. President Donald Trump, who signed an executive order offering refuge to Afrikaners.
De Jager passionately urged farmers to stay and fight for South Africa, emphasizing the shared struggles of both black and white farmers.

Tebogo Mokwena, who has worked with Briefly News, brings nearly a decade of experience in political analysis and interviewing for South Africa's Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.

Theo de Jager points out that black farmers endure as much hardship—or more—than their white counterparts. Images: SAAI Source: Facebook

LIMPOPO — Theo de Jager, a farmer based in Limpopo and the leader of the Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI), has reached out to former U.S. President Donald Trump. In his message, De Jager urged Trump not to overlook the plight of black farmers in South Africa when implementing foreign policies. This appeal came after Trump signed an Executive Order allowing Afrikaners to seek refugee status in the United States. De Jager’s plea resonates with a call for inclusivity and fairness, urging the recognition of the challenges faced by all farmers, regardless of race.

De Jager’s Appeal: What’s in the Letter?

Theo de Jager took to his Facebook page to post an open letter addressed to President Trump. In this heartfelt message, he praised Trump’s leadership, acknowledging his decisive nature and ability to spark reform and revival in stagnant political landscapes. While expressing gratitude for the Executive Order, De Jager noted that for some farmers, this order might represent the only realistic path forward. However, he also pointed out that the tensions in South Africa extend far beyond racial divides. He highlighted the significant issues facing black farmers, such as corruption, poor service delivery, and systemic inefficiencies.

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De Jager emphasized that many black family farmers from various cultural communities endure hardships comparable to—or even greater than—those faced by white farmers. These families, often beneficiaries of land reform, find themselves grappling with the same or worse challenges as their white counterparts. He stressed the importance of recognizing these shared struggles and addressing them collectively.

“Many black family farmers from other cultural communities suffer just as much—if not more—under the weight of corruption, poor service delivery, and state inefficiencies. Families who are beneficiaries of land reform, and the traditional communities who share the rural spaces without commercial farmers, face the same challenges as us, and often worse,” he stated.

What Did De Jager Ask of Trump?

In his letter, De Jager requested that Trump refrain from punishing hardworking black families who face similar struggles to white farmers. He urged Trump to engage directly with those on the ground rather than relying solely on mainstream media narratives, which might not fully capture the complexities of the situation. De Jager further pointed out that land reform efforts have largely failed to create a thriving class of black farmers due to issues like the denial of title deeds. By addressing these systemic failures, De Jager hoped to foster a more inclusive and equitable agricultural sector in South Africa.

SAAI implored Trump to acknowledge the hardships endured by black farmers. Image: SAAI Source: Facebook

Read the full Facebook statement here.

Breaking Down the Executive Order: What You Need to Know

International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola criticized the Executive Order, labeling it as being based on unverified and misleading claims.
The Economic Freedom Fighters demanded that the citizenships of those accepting Trump's offer be revoked, highlighting the controversy surrounding the decision.
AfriForum rejected Trump’s invitation for Afrikaners to relocate, asserting that Afrikaners have no intention of leaving South Africa.

Over 10,000 Afrikaners Explore Relocation to the U.S.

In a related development, Briefly News reported that the South African Chamber of Commerce in the United States has received over 10,000 inquiries from Afrikaners interested in moving to the U.S. The Chamber of Commerce expressed concern that Trump's Executive Order could lead to a mass exodus of skilled workers and professionals. They called on the South African government to explore more constructive solutions to address the underlying issues affecting the agricultural sector. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, there’s hope for a brighter future for all farmers in South Africa.