A tense diplomatic moment unfolded at the White House as US President Donald Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with controversial footage during a high-level meeting with South African delegates.
Trump presented clips of opposition leader Julius Malema and his Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) supporters chanting the song “Shoot the Boer”, a chant rooted in South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle. While the ruling ANC has distanced itself from the lyrics, critics accuse Ramaphosa of not strongly condemning them.
Despite the lack of verified evidence, Trump continued to echo long-standing right-wing claims of “white genocide” in South Africa, particularly among white farmers. However, official South African police data paints a different picture: in the last quarter of 2024, 12 people were killed in farm-related attacks — just one of whom was a farmer. Most victims were farm dwellers or employees, often black South Africans.
The Expropriation Act 2024 — a key issue for Trump — allows for land seizure without compensation for public interest, but it remains under review and is not currently enforced.
Ramaphosa emphasized that while farm killings occur, they are a tiny fraction of South Africa’s overall violent crime. He added that crime in South Africa is not racially targeted and remains a broader national challenge.
Meanwhile, South African courts have upheld the EFF’s right to chant “Shoot the Boer” as political speech, not hate speech. The country’s highest court declined to review the case, reinforcing the legal view that the song is symbolic.
Following their meeting, the two presidents retreated behind closed doors, leaving many questions unanswered. With no clear announcements on trade or cooperation, the state of US-South Africa relations remains cautious — perhaps best described as an uneasy “agree to disagree.”
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