Pretoria – The South African government has sharply criticised US President Donald Trump over what it described as a “regrettable” post on his Truth Social platform that misrepresented Afrikaners and repeated unfounded claims of persecution.
In an official statement issued on Saturday, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said it had “noted the content of a post by President Donald J. Trump on the Truth Social platform” and rejected his characterisation of Afrikaners as an “exclusively white group.”
“The South African Government wishes to state, for the record, that the characterisation of Afrikaners as an exclusively white group is ahistorical,” the department said.
“Furthermore, the claim that this community faces persecution is not substantiated by fact.”
DIRCO’s response comes after Trump made controversial remarks about South Africa while discussing the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg later this month.
BREAKING 🚨 President Trump just put the world on notice saying America will not join G20 held in South Africa since they are k*lling Christians
Save Christians at all costs 🙏 pic.twitter.com/PDzwz6d4wt
— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) November 7, 2025
Trump claimed Afrikaners were being “killed and slaughtered” and that their farms were being “illegally confiscated.”
He called it a “total disgrace” that the G20 would be held in South Africa, adding that he planned to host the 2026 summit in Miami.
“It is a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in South Africa. Afrikaners (people who are descended from Dutch settlers, and also French and German immigrants) are being killed and slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated.
“No US government official will attend as long as these human rights abuses continue. I look forward to hosting the 2026 G20 in Miami, Florida,” Trump said.
South Africa, however, maintains that such claims are based on misinformation. The department reiterated that its position on farm crimes and human rights remains “consistent with previous statements,” referring to several past clarifications, including its official responses to the US refugee programme and reports of racial persecution.
“Against this backdrop, South Africa’s focus remains on its positive global contributions,” the statement continued. “Drawing on our own journey from racial and ethnic division to democracy, our nation is uniquely positioned to champion within the G20 a future of genuine solidarity, where shared prosperity bridges deep inequalities.”
DIRCO reaffirming South Africa’s commitment to hosting a successful G20 Leaders’ Summit, despite the diplomatic noise surrounding Trump’s remarks.
“We look forward to hosting a successful G20 Leaders’ Summit,” the department said.
Enquiries regarding the statement can be directed to Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: X/@athenkosi591
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
