They once ruled the land through oppression and law. Now, they claim to be fleeing the country they once controlled. But can you genuinely be a refugee from a system you built and enforced on others for generations?

This month, a small group of Afrikaner families—descendants of Dutch settlers and pivotal architects of South Africa’s apartheid regime—quietly boarded flights to the United States, asserting their status as refugees. Their reasons for leaving are articulated through a lens of despair as they describe a growing sense of insecurity in their homeland, pointing to incidents of crime, economic marginalisation, and an overwhelming perception of being racially targeted. Their narrative portrays them as victims, seeking safety and a brighter future far from the country that once favoured them during a dark chapter in its history.

However, to many Black South Africans, this purported departure is seen as a disingenuous performance of victimhood, one that is painfully disconnected from the historical truths that persist in the collective memory of the nation. Many perceive this new exodus as deeply insulting to those who continue to grapple with the immense shadows cast by apartheid’s devastating legacy. The notion that a group that historically benefited from systemic discrimination is now positioning itself as a marginalised community raises critical questions about accountability and historical context.

A History of Harm: Understanding the Backlash

To fully grasp the intensity of the backlash against these claims, it is necessary to delve deep into history, not just the era of apartheid but also the colonisation that preceded it. Afrikaners played a central role in the systematic theft of land, dispossession, and institutionalised racism that characterised South Africa for over a century. The apartheid system they upheld was not merely an authoritarian regime; it was a comprehensive framework that systematically deprived Black South Africans of their land, rights, education, and their very humanity.

Even today, the legacy of this oppression is evident. Many communities still struggle with the repercussions of years of institutionalised inequality: overcrowded townships are a common sight, education systems remain fractured, and the staggering inequality persists, while a small number of white landowners—many of whom are Afrikaners—continue to maintain control over expansive and fertile lands. This stark disparity serves as a constant reminder of the historical injustices that have yet to be addressed.

Thus, when some Afrikaners claim persecution in contemporary society, it unsettles those who are still navigating the profound impacts of generational trauma inflicted upon them. For many who lived through apartheid, the current struggles are not merely about societal adjustments; they are about reclaiming dignity, rights, and acknowledgment of their humanity.

Fear or Fantasy?

The Afrikaners departing South Africa assert that they are victims of racial targeting, pointing to alarming statistics on farm attacks, feelings of disenfranchisement due to land reform policies, and an overarching sentiment of “not belonging” within the transformed socio-political landscape of the new South Africa. Right-wing networks in the United States have quickly seized upon these narratives, amplifying the fears surrounding this migration and framing it as an exodus from an “anti-white” state.

Yet, the critical questions arise: Are these families genuinely fearful of violence and persecution, or are they simply uncomfortable in a society where they are no longer the dominant demographic? The answer to this multifaceted question likely varies significantly depending on one’s perspective and lived experiences. The stark divide in sentiment is reflective of broader societal tensions and the complex interplay of racial dynamics in a nation still grappling with its past.

One thing remains abundantly clear: history matters. Denying or glossing over the painful memories of the past only distorts our understanding of present realities. Those who wish to turn their backs on the injustices that shaped South African society risk rewriting a narrative that demands recognition, accountability, and justice.

For many, true refuge is not found in fleeing from uncomfortable truths but rather in seeking justice, acknowledging the pain caused, working towards reconciliation, and ensuring that the spectre of apartheid does not loom over South Africa’s future. As the nation strives for unity and healing, it becomes essential for all parties to grapple with the complex realities of their shared history. Only through an honest engagement with the past can South Africa create a path forward that honours the dignity of all its inhabitants.

In reality, white men, including Afrikaner men, continue to dominate SA’s industries, earn higher salaries and have easier access to loans from banking institutions. 30 years into democracy, the South Africans who continue to be most at risk of eviction, discrimination and crime are the same people who faced it during Apartheid.

Written by Makhosemvelo Mthembu, Communications Officer at the Southern Africa Litigation Centre