The Daily Populous Sunday March 15th, 2026 evening edition
Authored by latintimes.com and submitted by Competitive_Swan_130

Some white South Africans living in the United States are reportedly planning to return to their home country, citing safety concerns, cost of living and family ties, according to a new report.

The development comes as diplomatic tensions grow between Washington and Pretoria and as the Trump administration promotes a refugee program for white South Africans.

The issue has also become part of a broader diplomatic dispute as South Africa summoned the U.S. ambassador on Wednesday after he criticized the country's policies, including affirmative action laws and foreign relations.

The confrontation follows repeated claims by President Donald Trump that white South Africans face persecution — allegations the South African government says are not supported by evidence.

Against that backdrop, some expatriates say they feel uneasy in the United States itself. Andrew Veitch, a 53-year-old who moved to California in 2003 after being held at gunpoint in South Africa, told Reuters that he now feels less secure in the U.S.

"People are being shot in broad daylight. American citizens are being shot and killed," he said, adding that "he doesn't want to live in a place like this." Veitch said he plans to return to South Africa this year, joining a number of expatriates making similar decisions.

South Africa's government says thousands of expatriates have expressed interest in reclaiming citizenship after a court overturned a 1995 law that stripped citizenship from some citizens who acquired other nationalities. About 12,000 people have checked their status through a government portal, and roughly 1,000 have already reclaimed citizenship, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber told Reuters.

Official statistics show that nearly 15,000 white South Africans returned to the country in 2022. Recruitment firms cited by Reuters say inquiries from expatriates about returning have increased, with one agency reporting a 70% rise over the past six months.

Some returnees say the move is motivated by lifestyle factors rather than security. Naomi Saphire, who lived in the United States for two decades, moved back to South Africa's Western Cape last year. "My heart is just full of gratefulness to be here," she said, adding that her children spend more time outdoors and that health insurance is more affordable, according to Reuters.

Ancient_Sound_5347 on March 15th, 2026 at 06:02 UTC »

These are South Africans who legally immigrated to various countries but have decided to return over many years abroad.

It's a trend which has been happening for a while.

The so-called "refugees" who Trump had shipped in as political props are unable to return even if they don't like it in the US because of various reasons,since the South African government has basically closed the door after they left since they gave up certain rights after entering the US asylum programme.

The only way for them to return to South Africa is via the UN Refugee Agency on a special refugee travel document since they are now refugees not South African citizens who can return the usual way.

But that isn't easy and will take lots of paperwork.

So,it's either picking fruit on farms for them or working three jobs to make ends meet because of the high cost of living in the US.

Especially jarring since many gave up a comfortable lifestyle in South Africa with a 4 bedroom house and a swimming pool for a free plane ride to the US on a Trump promise that he would take care of them.

recentgrooves on March 15th, 2026 at 04:05 UTC »

Take Elon

Mikethebest78 on March 15th, 2026 at 02:39 UTC »

Well good for them. They at least have more sense then Mr. Musk.