US visa curbs on South Africans put land, race claims under the spotlight
US visa curbs targeting South Africans have reignited debate over land, race and farm violence, but how do Washington’s claims compare with South Africa’s official facts?
South Africa criticized the United States for imposing new visa restrictions on Wednesday, accusing Washington of misrepresenting its racial equity policies and worsening ties between the two nations. The dispute is part of a larger battle over race, trade, and diplomacy, with Washington cutting aid, imposing tariffs, expelling South Africa's ambassador, and boycotting a G20 summit in Johannesburg, all amid the legacy of apartheid.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed the new visa rules would target those who promote "race-based discrimination, incite violence, or enable land confiscation without compensation." South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola expressed concern over the move, stating that Washington was echoing messages from fringe groups opposed to post-apartheid reforms.
He emphasized that addressing the injustices of the past and building a democratic society based on social justice and human rights is a constitutional obligation. The US has not specified any individuals targeted by the restrictions but threatened additional "severe" actions. US Ambassador to South Africa Brent Bozell warned of further escalatory measures.
Trump has previously criticized South Africa's land reform and employment equity laws, accusing them of discriminating against Afrikaners, whom Pretoria denies. In 2025, Trump called President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office over baseless claims of a "white genocide" in South Africa. The US has provided refugee status to white South Africans facing persecution, but Lamola rejected claims that the government targeted any racial group, stressing that crime affects all South Africans.
The opposition party uMkhonto we Sizwe condemned the visa restrictions as an affront to South African sovereignty. Despite tensions, both countries continue to engage in efforts to improve relations, with South Africa emphasizing the need to respect its democracy, constitution, and the will of its people. As the largest trading partner of the US in Africa, South Africa offers a generous new trade deal to the United States to avoid tariffs and protect jobs amid a severe unemployment crisis.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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