The United States (US) State Department is considering a $335 000 research and advertising (Ad) campaign in South Africa (SA) aimed at encouraging more white Afrikaners to apply for US refugee status.
According to a report by The Guardian, the proposal follows lower-than-expected application numbers under Washington’s refugee admissions program, despite assertions from the US administration that white South Africans face systemic racial persecution and land targeting.
The proposed six-month initiative includes focus groups across several South African towns, a survey of 1000 Afrikaners, and targeted digital advertising primarily in Afrikaans to understand why eligible citizens are not seeking resettlement.
The SA government has repeatedly rejected Washington’s claims of government-sponsored racial discrimination, calling the assertions unfounded. While the advertising proposal awaits final approval, the move underscores ongoing diplomatic tensions between Pretoria and Washington over migration and foreign policy.
–ChannelAfrica/ Sherwin Bryce-Pease–
