South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has sharply criticized white South Africans who emigrated to the United States, labeling them as ‘cowards.’
According to Ramaphosa, South Africans are resilient people who stay to solve their country’s problems, not flee from them.
A group of 59 white South Africans recently left the country and resettled in the US, facilitated by former President Donald Trump. They arrived in the United States on Monday, granted refugee status over claims of racial discrimination back home.
Ramaphosa condemned their departure, expressing confidence that ‘they’ll be back soon.’ He suggested that those who leave are discontent with his administration’s efforts to address the lingering inequities rooted in the apartheid era.
‘We don’t run away from our problems,’ Ramaphosa asserted. ‘When you run away, you are a coward, and that’s a real act of cowardice.’
The move has sparked international attention, particularly from Trump and South African-born billionaire Elon Musk. Both have accused the South African government of orchestrating what they described as a ‘genocide’ against white farmers. Trump’s administration also criticized South Africa’s leadership for allegedly seizing land from white farmers without compensation.
Ramaphosa dismissed the allegations, reaffirming his stance that building a unified nation demands collective effort and resilience—not abandonment.
