For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Lumkile Nkomfe.

Making headlines: US defends Afrikaner refugee admissions, but offers no proof of genocide claims; UDM calls for Binational Commission ahead of SA, US talks; And, Human Rights Commission settles racism complaint against Renaldo Gouws

US defends Afrikaner refugee admissions, but offers no proof of genocide claims

US Department of State principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott has asserted that the first batch of South African Afrikaners to be granted “refugee” status meet the same standard that is applied for all refugees, stressing US President Donald Trump’s “concerns” about South Africa, although he failed to provide evidence of a genocide.

The US administration this week welcomed 59 white South Africans, as the first batch of Afrikaners to be granted “refugee status” by Trump, supported by the belief that they had been persecuted and amid claims of genocide.

Relations between the US and South Africa have been strained since early this year, with Trump ending funding for critical health programmes owing to his disapproval of South Africa’s land policies and its case against Israel in the International Court of Justice.

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that he will hold talks with Trump, in the US, next week in an attempt to reset relations.

Addressing journalists in a press briefing, Pigott noted that there were certain criteria and standards for refugee status in the US.

He argued the standard was uniform “across the board”.

UDM calls for Binational Commission ahead of SA, US talks

Meanwhile, as Ramaphosa prepares for his diplomatic engagement with Trump, next week, the United Democratic Movement is calling for the resumption of a Binational Commission.

UDM president Bantu Holomisa said this would ensure a “credible and forward-looking path” for South Africa and the US.

Holomisa argued that a renewed Binational Commission could serve as a meaningful platform to address the current misunderstandings and to create space for practical cooperation.

He explained that such a commission should include dedicated sub-committees on the economy, security, education and environment, where both governments could regularly engage on key strategic priorities.

He added that this structure would also allow for in-depth discussions on areas of concern and opportunities for collaboration, ensuring that all sectors of society benefit from the outcomes.

He further suggested that both Parliaments should be kept informed of the commission’s progress, to ensure transparency, accountability and alignment with national interests.

And, Human Rights Commission settles racism complaint against Renaldo Gouws

The South African Human Rights Commission announced today that former Democratic Alliance MP Renaldo Gouws has agreed to participate in workshops, public education, awareness activities and a diversity sensitisation session, as part of a settlement agreement.

The Commission has settled a complaint against Gouws relating to a video he published in 2010, which contained racially offensive and harmful language directed at black South Africans.

Following the video’s resurfacing in 2024 and subsequent complaints submitted to the commission by members of the public, the Commission instituted proceedings against Gouws before the Equality Court.

The commission highlighted that the matter had since been settled through the commission’s alternative dispute resolution process, noting the terms of settlement, which it said included a full and unconditional public apology, which Gouws had issued.

The commission welcomed Gouws’s acknowledgment of the impact of his past conduct and reiterated that the right to freedom of expression must be exercised in a manner that respects the dignity and equality of all people.

In his apology, Gouws maintained that former African National Congress Youth League president Julius Malema’s singing of the ‘Kill the Boer; Kill the farmer’ song was “insensitive, offensive, divisive and deeply hurtful towards Afrikaners”, particularly to those affected by violent crime in rural areas.

However, he said he acknowledged now that his critique of this was “insensitive, offensive, divisive and deeply hurtful towards black people.”

He admitted that it was “unacceptable” for him to have used violent language to make his point.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

Don’t forget to follow us on the X platform, at the handle @PolityZA