The ANC has welcomed the stance taken by a group of prominent Afrikaans-speaking South Africans who have rejected the narrative that Afrikaners are the victims of racial persecution.

In a letter, first published on Netwerk24 last week, and on News24 over the weekend, the group states that this narrative, now being used to support the far-right “Great Replacement” theory in the United States, is not only misleading but also dangerous.

The group, including prominent academics, say the Trump administration’s plan to prioritise white South Africans for refugee status, while drastically cutting overall refugee admissions, has brought Afrikaner identity into the spotlight in deeply troubling ways.

“It distorts the realities of South Africa, weaponises our history, and reduces a complex social context and necessary levelling of playing fields into a simplistic symbol of white decline. Let us be clear: South Africa faces serious challenges – crime, inequality, and the enduring legacy of apartheid. But these issues affect South Africans of all races. To cherry-pick white suffering and elevate it above others is dishonest and harmful. It feeds extremist ideologies that perpetuate division and have inspired real-world violence, including mass shootings.”

The ANC has hailed this stance as courageous.

“These freedom-loving South Africans recognise that the unity being forged in our country is essential to building a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous South Africa. They affirm that nation-building requires honesty about our painful past and a shared commitment to redressing the deep inequalities caused by centuries of oppression. The ANC notes with appreciation their clear rejection of attempts to distort South Africa’s history and weaponise it to advance far-right agendas abroad.”

The ANC’s National Spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu, has called on all South Africans, including those from communities once privileged by apartheid, to join hands in completing the “unfinished business of liberation, to ensure full transformation, equality, and social justice are achieved so that the sacrifices of those who came before us are not in vain.”

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya also reacted on X, saying, “Our compatriots have spoken. The rest is just noise.”

Our compatriots have spoken. The rest is just noise. https://t.co/AJhPwWef99

— Vincent Magwenya 🇿🇦 (@SpokespersonRSA) October 25, 2025

The letter by the group of Afrikaans-speaking South Africans was co-signed by:

• Anneliese Burgess, Journalist and writer
• Rudi Buys, Leadership and Diversity Consultant
• Prof Wannie Carstens, Extraordinary Professor, North-West University
• Rev Andries Cilliers, Dutch Reformed Church
• Prof Fanie Cloete, Emeritus Professor of Policy Management and Governance, Universities of Johannesburg and Stellenbosch
• Prof Piet Croucamp, Associate Professor of Political Studies and International Relations, North-West University
• Frederik de Jager, Writer
• Louise du Plessis, Lawyers for Human Rights
• Prof Pierre de Vos, Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Cape Town
• Louise du Plessis, Lawyers for Human Rights
• Dr Stan du Plessis, Economist and CEO, Stadio
• Max du Preez, Author and journalist
• Louis Gaigher, Commissioning editor, Wits University Press
• Rudolf Gouws, Economist
• Ambassador Gert Grobler, Former South African diplomat
• Chris Heymans, Freelance public affairs commentator
• Gielie Hoffman, Management consultant, writer
• Willem Kempen, Journalist
• Dr Lindie Koorts, Historian, University of Pretoria
• Nick Koornhof, Ex-Member of Parliament
• Judge Johann Kriegler
• Ruda Landman, Journalist and writer
• JP Landman, Political and economic analyst
• Barend La Grange, Community Development Specialist
• Andrew le Roux, Business leader & board member
• Prof Andre le Roux, UCT
• Dr Pepe Marais, Chief Purpose and Vision Officer, Joe Public
• Prof Martin Oosthuizen, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at North-West University (NWU)
• Chris Otto, Co-founder of the PSG Group and Chairman of Zeder Investments
• Nina Overton-de Klerk, Emeritus Professor in Strategic Communication, University Johannesburg
• Hans Pienaar, Writer
• Truida Prekel, Innovation Catalyst
• Dr Jurie Schoeman, Theologian and pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church
• Leane Spangenberg, Legal advisor
• Chris Spies, Peacebuilding and Mediation Specialist
• Deborah Steinmar, Writer
• Dr Susan Steynberg, Formerly UCT Deputy Director, Library Services
• Dr Mareli Stolp, Pianist, and academic
• Rev Dr Petrus Strijdom, Clergy and Theologian
• Rev Rudi Swanepoel, Dutch Reformed Church
• Jacob van Garderen, Human rights advocate
• Prof AA van Niekerk, Professor emeritus of philosophy and Director emeritus of the Centre for Applied Ethics, Stellenbosch University
• Prof Anthoni van Nieuwkerk, Professor of International Relations, UNISA
• Ali van Wyk, Journalist