A Pretoria-based group, Betereinders, has recently taken a strong stance against AfriForum’s portrayal of the situation of white South Africans in its campaigns abroad, particularly in the United States. The group believes that AfriForum has been misleading in its messaging, especially when comparing the conditions of white citizens to the majority black population in South Africa.
Last week, Betereinders launched its “Not USA, but You SA” campaign in Pretoria, featuring a large billboard and a casual braai to draw attention to its message. Co-founder Johan Erasmus spoke out against AfriForum’s narrative, which he claims portrays Afrikaners as victims. While acknowledging the real issue of rural safety, Erasmus emphasized that this problem is not politically motivated.
“There is a major problem with rural safety, and we can agree on that, but to claim that it is politically motivated is completely absurd,” Erasmus stated in an interview with Newzroom Afrika. He also noted that it is important to recognize that many farm workers, both black and white, are often victims of crime, especially related to stock theft.
Erasmus further pointed out that his organization is in touch with many white commercial farmers, who, he claims, do not share AfriForum’s narrative of widespread victimhood. While farm murders are a real concern, he argued, they have been “politically exaggerated” for strategic purposes. He added that crime, in general, disproportionately affects black South Africans, with black people being more likely to be victims of crime than white people.
The debate around farm murders has become heated, with AfriForum and the South African government at odds over the issue. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu recently challenged AfriForum to provide evidence to support their claims of rampant farm murders, which contradict official crime statistics. According to the latest crime report, only one farmer was reported as murdered in the third quarter of 2024, a statistic that AfriForum disputes.
Mchunu, in a statement to the media, called on AfriForum to present verifiable evidence that contradicts the crime statistics. “We thoroughly work to produce accurate crime statistics to reflect the country’s crime situation,” Mchunu said. “We will await them providing us with evidence.”
As this ongoing debate continues, Betereinders remains steadfast in its belief that the situation in South Africa, particularly in rural areas, is being manipulated for political gain.
