Orania residents weigh in: Stay or become Afrikaner ‘refugees’?

Residents of Orania, the all-Afrikaner town in the Northern Cape, are reacting to US President Donald Trump’s offer of “refugee status” in America.

For many, this means remaining in South Africa and embracing their “freedom.”

Last week, 49 white South Africans arrived in the US through the resettlement program, claiming they faced “racial discrimination.”

ORANIA RESIDENTS: WILL THEY TAKE UP ‘REFUGEE STATUS’ TOO?

On their official Facebook account, Orania town officials posed a question to their followers. 

“Refugee or freedom?” it asked.

In the comments section, residents of the Afrikaner-only town shared that they are mostly interested in staying in South Africa and preserving their culture and freedom.

Deon Kotze: “Freedom. Abroad is not going to offer us freedom. We must consolidate if we want to survive as Afrikaners.”

Deon Domingo: “Freedom. We are not moved by the enemy.”

Arthur Spies: “Every country in the world has different problems, so I say we stay put.”

Andrew Lunt: “Freedom! America is not freedom.”

‘A HOME FOR AFRIKANERS’

Speaking to political commentator Matt Gaetz last week, Orania Movement leader Joost Strydom stated that while Afrikaners were thankful for President Donald Trump’s refugee status offer, they were interested in establishing a home for themselves in South Africa.

He told the One America News Network: “What we really appreciate is that President Trump called us by our name. We are Afrikaners, we are a distinct people. A distinct group with a distinct language and culture

He continued: “We are very thankful for that…but people need a place. And in that light, we ask for political recognition, specifically self-determination.

“Now we ask if there can be a Trump declaration stating that a national home for Afrikaners is a legitimate pursuit, and that they will support it with their best endevours”.