Forget America – Orania invites Afrikaner farmers to build a future in the Northern Cape

AN INVITATION has been extended to "embattled" Afrikaner farmers who do not want to uproot themselves and immigrate to America, to instead choose Orania in the Northern Cape as their new home.

Orania Movement chief executive officer Joost Strydom stated that none of their residents intend to become American refugees in response to US President Donald Trump’s invitation.

“We are grateful that the Afrikaner culture has received international recognition, but the Northern Cape is our home. There are problems all over the world and we have taken it upon ourselves to find a solution and ensure food security in the country,” said Strydom.

He noted that white farmers felt marginalised, while young farmers were immigrating to secure better opportunities abroad.

“South Africans are sought-after, as they are hardworking. However, the conditions of being awarded refugee status are still unclear. Never before has a president extended such an invitation and we cannot ignore the possibility that it could be a political manoeuvre.” 

Strydom pointed out that farm production in Orania was well-resourced, as the town was equipped with a solar plant, an upcoming town development, and a newly acquired 4.8-megawatt battery to keep the town powered during load shedding.

“We welcome farmers to Orania to build a better future in our own country. Our model was developed on a public-private partnership that was custom-designed for the local environment. National investors are paid out dividends, while we have also attracted international donors. We keep strict records of all our assets.”

He was confident that the government would not renege on the memorandum of agreement to recognise Orania as an Afrikaner nationalist town in the Northern Cape.

“Cultural recognition is ingrained in the Constitution and if they do not keep their part of the bargain, it will unleash international outrage. It will prove that the ANC is aggressively driving Afrikaner citizens out of the country.” 

FF+ provincial leader Wynand Boshoff urged that challenges within the agricultural sector be resolved internally.

“However, there is nothing unlawful about AfriForum and Solidarity seeking international intervention from the USA because farmers find themselves targeted by injustices, including land expropriation, farm murders and high crime rates. Some farmers will view President Donald Trump’s invitation as a lifeline,” said Boshoff.

He added that FF+ leader Pieter Groenewald was finalising negotiations to recognise Orania as a nationalist town, as part of the Government of National Unity pre-condition.

Jacques van Tonder, who left Kimberley four years ago to work on plantations in South Dakota and Wisconsin in the US, encouraged South Africans to grab the “golden opportunity” offered by Trump.

“It came at the cost of being away from my home and family, but it is possible to earn up to R90,000 per month,” Van Tonder said.

He added that if white South African farmers were given refugee status, they would also be assisted with housing and medical aid.

Agri Northern Cape president Willem Symington did not foresee a mass exodus of Northern Cape farmers to America.

“Many farmers have been on their land for many generations. While the process to immigrate may be made hassle-free through President Donald Trump’s offer, the conditions are undefined as to whether farmers will be provided with land, agricultural equipment and livestock, or if South Africans will be employed on American-owned farms. They have also not outlined if families and dependents will have to stay behind.”

He acknowledged that farmers severely affected by drought or who felt unsafe had "nothing to lose" if they moved to America, as their livelihoods hung in the balance.

EFF Northern Cape leader Shadrack Thlaole believed that Trump was promoting racial division.

“We will not be bullied - his motives are for his own gain. We are a rainbow nation. and no one said we don’t want whites to stay in the country. Farmers will never leave South Africa,” said Thlaole.

Southern African Agri Initiative CEO Francois Rossouw, however, stated that there was widespread interest from farmers across the country who were considering accepting Trump’s offer.

“The writing is on the wall for many farmers who have suffered farm attacks, fear that their land will be grabbed, and are finding it increasingly difficult to operate in an increasingly hostile environment. Young, emerging farmers are also in search of a better future,” said Rossouw.

A spokesperson for the Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Stephen Galane, pointed out that there would not be any unlawful confiscation of land. 

“The department is committed to training farmers to improve their yields across the agricultural value chain,” he said. “Support in the form of training, production, mechanisation and mentorship has been offered to 3,793 smallholder farmers and 3,529 subsistence producers over the 2021-2024 period. Additionally, 5 062 skilled producers have been supported through various departmental initiatives.” 

He added that transformation in the agricultural sector was an ongoing process. 

“‘The agricultural sector is the only sector that experienced an increase in employment, where 13,000 jobs were created in the fourth quarter of 2024. Agriculture is the top contributor to employment in the province.” 

Galane stated that the department was assisting smallholder producers in receiving accreditation and certification, enabling them to supply safe, high-quality food to local and international markets.

“This will ultimately contribute to fostering sustainability and improving the market competitiveness of the agricultural sector.”