South African government launched a campaign against white genocide claims
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, said the government has taken steps to counter white genocide claims.
Lamola revealed this in response to a Parliamentary question from MP Wesley Douglas about the government’s response to counter false narratives.
Douglas said the false narratives included white genocide claims, misinformation and geopolitical disinformation campaigns.
Lamola said the government has responded through a combination of strategic communication, evidence-based rebuttals, and diplomatic engagement.
It also used law enforcement investigations and constitutional advocacy to counter disinformation campaigns aimed at delegitimising the republic.
He added that these campaigns aimed to distort the domestic realities and weaken South Africa’s standing within the Global South and international community.
“Through the Government Communications machinery, consistent messages have been shared with all relevant stakeholders,” Lamola said.
“These stakeholders included South African and international media as well as the public using various methods.”
He said they used the government machinery to rebut the false and misleading narrative about a white genocide taking place in South Africa.
The government’s messages include several Cabinet statements, government key messages, and posters shared on social media platforms.
“Crime statistics shared on a quarterly basis by the South African Police Service (SAPS) have also proven conclusively that the white genocide narrative is false,” he said.
He added that South African leaders have actively engaged international partners and media platforms to challenge false portrayals of the country.
“The government has rejected attempts by foreign political actors and media personalities to distort South Africa’s constitutional land reform policies.”
“Such narratives undermine South Africa’s sovereignty and seek to weaken its independent foreign policy positions.”
He said that reports from the Associated Press, amongst others, quoting Solidariteit, showed that refugee status for Afrikaners is not a viable solution.
Lamola added that the government has appointed Roelf Meyer as the South African Ambassador to the United States of America.
“The Ambassador presented his Letters of Credence and Recall to President Donald Trump on 21 May 2026,” he said.
“This appointment will go a long way in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries and rebutting the false narrative.”