US President Trump's remarks about a 'white genocide' in South Africa are fueling hateful ideologies, according to experts speaking to NOS. Ahead of South African President Ramaphosa's visit to the White House, Trump claimed that white farmers are being dispossessed and murdered on a large scale due to their race. Experts warn that his statements will embolden far-right groups in South Africa.
Trump presented newspaper clippings and videos during his meeting with Ramaphosa, which were later debunked as misleading or false by South African and international media. Ramaphosa clarified that while South Africa has high murder rates, victims come from all racial backgrounds.
Statistics show that around 50 farmers are killed annually in a country with 26,000 murders per year. Experts argue that while violence is a serious issue, framing it as a racially motivated genocide is inaccurate and dangerous.