Jacques van Tonder, who left Kimberley four years ago to work on plantations in South Dakota and Wisconsin in the US, encouraged South Africans to grab the “golden opportunity” offered by Trump.

“It came at the cost of being away from my home and family, but it is possible to earn up to R90,000 per month,” Van Tonder said.

He added that if white South African farmers were given refugee status, they would also be assisted with housing and medical aid.

Agri Northern Cape president Willem Symington did not foresee a mass exodus of Northern Cape farmers to America.

“Many farmers have been on their land for many generations. While the process to immigrate may be made hassle-free through President Donald Trump’s offer, the conditions are undefined as to whether farmers will be provided with land, agricultural equipment and livestock, or if South Africans will be employed on American-owned farms. They have also not outlined if families and dependents will have to stay behind.”

He acknowledged that farmers severely affected by drought or who felt unsafe had "nothing to lose" if they moved to America, as their livelihoods hung in the balance.

EFF Northern Cape leader Shadrack Thlaole believed that Trump was promoting racial division.

“We will not be bullied - his motives are for his own gain. We are a rainbow nation. and no one said we don’t want whites to stay in the country. Farmers will never leave South Africa,” said Thlaole.

Southern African Agri Initiative CEO Francois Rossouw, however, stated that there was widespread interest from farmers across the country who were considering accepting Trump’s offer.

“The writing is on the wall for many farmers who have suffered farm attacks, fear that their land will be grabbed, and are finding it increasingly difficult to operate in an increasingly hostile environment. Young, emerging farmers are also in search of a better future,” said Rossouw.

#farmers

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