Life as an Afrikaner refugee in the US: Challenges and triumphs

It has been three months since a group of Afrikaner refugees, primarily white South Africans of Dutch descent, fled to the United States under a controversial United States refugee resettlement programme. 

The programme, established by US President Donald Trump, aimed to provide a haven for Afrikaners who claimed to be facing racial persecution in South Africa.

In May this year, 59 Afrikaners boarded a chartered flight to the US, where they were welcomed by US officials and distributed in different parts of the country where they would be settling. About a month later, a dozen more followed.

While some of the refugees have expressed gratitude for the opportunity to start anew in the US, others have shared stories of struggle and frustration. 

Charl Kleinhaus, a 47-year-old man who claimed he owned a farm in Limpopo, said that although life was safe in the US, he had to work like everybody else. 

Kleinhaus moved to South Dakota after being sent to Buffalo, New York. He asserts he left because he received death threats, urging him to vacate his farm in Limpopo, a matter he reported to the police without success.

Kleinhaus highlighted the significant challenge of earning a living, noting the absence of domestic help for tasks like sweeping or cleaning. "You do the work yourself," he emphasised, underscoring the personal effort required.

Some refugees have struggled to find jobs matching their skills and experience. 

A South African woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, was initially turned down for entry-level hotel positions due to being deemed "overqualified". She had previously owned businesses in sales, publishing, and estate sales.

She has since found employment with a care agency, where she now cares for seniors.

Despite the challenges, some refugees have praised the US system, particularly healthcare. 

"People are incredibly accommodating here," stated Errol Langton, an IT businessman now residing in Birmingham, Alabama. "They are eager to help, recognise the need, and treat you with respect."

The refugees have faced various challenges as they adapt to their new lives in the US. Sonell van Niekerk, a Biblical content creator based in North Dakota, warned would-be refugees about the difficulties of uprooting and the importance of having a support system, such as a church.

A viral video surfaced a month after their arrival, featuring a South African woman residing in the US. She alleged that an Afrikaner family, claiming refugee status, was left without food, money, or cellphones while staying in a hotel.

"They were of the understanding that they were going to be arriving here to assist. People thought they were going to be arriving at a house, a job, and medical insurance. It isn't that way at all," the unidentified woman claimed.

Sam Busa, founder of Amerikaners — an organisation that assists South Africans interested in the refugee offer — rejected claims that the 'refugees' were potentially in severe difficulty, with some reportedly residing in hotels.

"We expected there would be some administrative issues for the pilot group, which is exactly why the pilot study was conducted — to iron out the everyday problems. As far as we know, the issues have been resolved and the group is settling well and excited about their new lives," she said.

Busa stated that housing individuals in hotels as part of a refugee programme is not uncommon.

"The US government would never intentionally abandon people without resources. Those sharing videos are merely seeking attention by dramatising the situation in a transparent attempt to undermine the refugee process,” Busa previously said.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation maintains that refugees currently under US protection cannot simply return to South Africa or obtain citizenship. For their return to be possible, they would first need to revoke their refugee status.

mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za