US President Donald Trump managed to achieve two things in SA this past week. First, he forced the nation to confront and debunk the myths of white genocide and land grabs.
Second, rather than dividing us, his actions strengthened our unity, except, perhaps, among the very few who still yearn for apartheid.
Trump, in an executive order signed on Friday, cited the Expropriation Act, SA’s genocide case against Israel and its close ties with Iran as among the reasons he was halting all US aid and assistance to SA.
He also granted refugee status to Afrikaners should they choose to leave SA because of the Expropriation Act.
But no-one is taking the bait.
AfriForum and Solidarity, both vocal critics of the Expropriation Act and widely seen as influencing Trump’s stance after lobbying in the US, have made it clear they are staying.
Solidarity chair Flip Buys welcomed “the concern of important Americans”, but emphasised: “The solution must be found in South Africa. We reaffirm our commitment to this country and all its people.”
Buys acknowledged that Solidarity differed with the ANC “about the direction of the country; the many race laws that make us second-class citizens”.
He cited the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act and the “blatant threats made by certain politicians towards Afrikaners”.
“However, we would like to put on record the following: first, we did not accuse the government of large-scale, race-based land grabs, or distribute false information in this regard,” Buys said.
“Second, we did not and will not ask for sanctions against SA or for funds for vulnerable people to be cut off by the US government.”
The truth of the matter is that SA, troubled as it is, is home to all who live in it.
It belongs to every black, coloured, Indian and white South African who was born and raised here.
Is our country perfect? Far from it.
Crime remains a crisis that affects every citizen, not just white farmers.
But this is a moment to unite, tackle our challenges head-on and forge a future that benefits all.
Ironically, Trump’s focus on SA has presented us with an opportunity to stand together and build the SA we want.
The Herald