Amid rising tensions over land expropriation laws in South Africa, a prominent Afrikaner farmer has taken his concerns straight to the top.
Theo de Jager, the Executive Board Chairperson of Saai – The Southern African Agriculture Initiative – has written an open letter to former U.S. President Donald Trump.
His letter follows Trump’s controversial executive order to freeze U.S. aid to South Africa, citing concerns over land seizures from white farmers, despite the South African government dismissing these claims as misinformation.
Trump’s Executive Order Sparks Debate
Trump’s order, issued last Friday, claims that South African law allows the government to seize agricultural land from ethnic minority Afrikaners without compensation.
In response, he directed U.S. officials to prioritize humanitarian relief for Afrikaners facing what he called “unjust racial discrimination.”
This directive includes resettlement opportunities in the U.S. for affected South African farmers.
The South African government, however, firmly denies that such a policy exists, calling Trump’s statement misleading.
Theo de Jager Speaks Out
In his letter, de Jager, a farmer from Limpopo, acknowledged Trump’s leadership style and decisive action, praising his commitment to following through on policies.
He expressed gratitude for the former president’s recognition of the challenges faced by Afrikaner farmers, including land expropriation threats, rural crime, and difficulties accessing financial resources.
However, de Jager emphasized that many farmers are deeply rooted in Africa and are not looking to leave their homeland.
Instead, they are committed to fighting for their rights within South Africa’s legal framework.
He also highlighted the benefits of existing U.S. programs that allow young South Africans to work on American farms, gaining valuable skills that help build their agricultural futures back home.
A Call for a Balanced Approach
De Jager was clear in stating that South Africa’s land issues are not merely a black-and-white racial matter.
Many black farmers, he noted, face similar struggles due to corruption, poor service delivery, and limited access to land ownership.
He argued that land reform policies have largely failed to benefit black farmers, as many remain without title deeds and are vulnerable to political exploitation.
In his appeal, de Jager urged Trump to consider these broader realities and ensure that future U.S. policies do not harm hardworking black farmers who share the same struggles as Afrikaners.
He stressed that South Africa’s real problem lies in political corruption and the mismanagement of state resources, rather than racial land disputes.
Concerns Over Judicial and Political Bias
Beyond the land issue, de Jager criticized South Africa’s judicial and political systems, claiming that judges are often appointed based on race and political connections rather than merit.
He condemned the legal system for allowing radical political rhetoric, such as the chanting of “Kill the farmer, kill the Boer,” to go unpunished, despite the government’s insistence that farm attacks are not a widespread issue.
Hope for the Future
De Jager concluded his letter by calling for greater global opportunities for young South Africans, urging leaders to focus on real solutions rather than divisive narratives.
He warned against the influence of political agendas that label criticism of corruption as anti-transformation or racist.
Finally, he urged Trump to seek information directly from the people on the ground, rather than relying on mainstream media reports.
His closing words also extended concern for Zimbabwean farmers of all backgrounds, acknowledging the severe consequences of poor governance in the neighboring country.