Mayibuye Mandela Calls for Afrikaners Seeking U.S. Asylum to Have Their Citizenship Revoked Amid Land Justice Dispute
For Land Justice: In a powerful statement that has ignited nationwide debate, Mayibuye Mandela, the great-grandson of Nelson Mandela, has called for the Department of Home Affairs to strip 49 Afrikaners of their South African citizenship. This bold demand follows their application for refugee status in the United States, citing persecution and land seizure threats as reasons for their departure. Mandela branded their actions as “traitorous,” accusing them of spreading false narratives to incite international disdain for South Africa.
Mandela’s Call for Revocation of Citizenship
During a press briefing, Mayibuye Mandela expressed his outrage at the group’s claims, urging the South African government to take decisive action.
“To the Department of Home Affairs, revoke their citizenship. Strip them of the right to call themselves South African,” Mandela declared.
“They have betrayed this country. They have lied about our people. They have attempted to spark international hatred toward our nation. They must never again benefit from the privileges of this republic.”
Mandela did not mince his words, calling for a complete severance of ties with those he described as perpetuating falsehoods about South Africa’s political landscape. He argued that the claims of white genocide are fabricated to discredit South Africa’s democratic institutions and ongoing land justice efforts.
No Evidence of White Genocide in South Africa
Mandela emphatically dismissed allegations of a “white genocide,” describing South Africa as a country in recovery from the wounds of apartheid and centuries of land dispossession. He stated:
“There is no genocide in South Africa. What exists is a country still in recovery from centuries of land dispossession, apartheid crimes, and systemic oppression. What they fear is not violence; it’s the end of unjust privilege.”
Mandela’s assertion comes amid growing tensions over South Africa’s land expropriation policies, which seek to address historical inequalities by redistributing land to disenfranchised communities. He reaffirmed his support for the Expropriation Act and similar legislative efforts aimed at restorative justice and equitable land ownership.
Mandela’s Message to Trump and the U.S. Government
In a statement directed at former U.S. President Donald Trump and the American government, Mandela suggested that if more Afrikaner farmers wish to leave South Africa, they should be allowed to do so—but not at the expense of South Africa’s sovereignty.
“To Donald Trump and the United States government, if more of them want to leave, do not waste your planes. Provide a ship. Give them space and let them leave in peace. South Africa will not beg racists to stay. Let them go and let them stay gone,” he asserted.
Mandela’s remarks underscore his belief that those unwilling to participate in South Africa’s national transformation should not benefit from its citizenship. His stance aligns with the broader African National Congress (ANC) narrative that there are no Afrikaner refugees in South Africa, only political fabrications intended to undermine the nation’s democratic evolution.
ANC Backs Mandela’s Call, Criticises U.S. Asylum Decision
The ANC has echoed Mandela’s sentiments, expressing dismay at the U.S. government’s decision to relocate the group of Afrikaners. In an official statement, the party emphasised that no segment of South African society is persecuted based on ethnicity or political beliefs.
“Let it be categorically stated: there are no Afrikaner refugees in South Africa. No section of our society is hounded, persecuted, or subject to ethnic victimisation,” the statement read.
“These claims are a fabrication and a cowardly political construct designed to delegitimise our democracy and insult the sacrifices made by generations who fought for freedom.”
The ANC also blamed right-wing organisations for spreading misinformation in the U.S. and other parts of the world, accusing them of distorting the reality of land reform in South Africa.
Land Expropriation and the Path Forward
Mayibuye Mandela concluded his statement with a call for unity and justice, urging South Africans to support land restitution and reject divisive narratives. He underscored that land dispossession must end, and equitable land ownership should be the foundation for South Africa’s future.
“We are not looters. We are the rightful heirs of this land. The dispossession of African people must end, and no false refugee claim or racist narrative will stop the movement,” he concluded.
Mandela’s words have set the stage for intensified discussions around land justice and citizenship, raising critical questions about national identity, historical accountability, and social cohesion in post-apartheid South Africa.
Global Implications and Political Reactions
The debate surrounding Afrikaner refugees and land expropriation has now reached international ears, with the U.S. government reportedly receiving evidence from Afrikaner groups supporting claims of persecution. However, the South African government has vehemently denied these allegations, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.
The impending high-level meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump is expected to further address these claims, potentially shaping the diplomatic relationship between South Africa and the United States.
