Activists from South Africa are appealing to U.S. leaders for support in the peaceful separation of the country’s white African minorities, citing increasing violent crime, corruption, and policies perceived as anti-white. Ernst Loetz, a filmmaker and spokesperson for the advocacy group Rex Libertas, labeled South Africa a “failed nation” during a recent meeting in Washington, D.C., urging U.S. officials to back their framework, especially in light of the alarming rates of farm murders and racially driven laws affecting Africans.
Loetz emphasized that people of Dutch, German, and French descent—who have lived in South Africa since the 1600s—have developed their own distinct culture and language. In a statement, Lex Libertas argued that they should be recognized as indigenous peoples. Their report advocates for decentralization, cultural autonomy, and sanctions against South African leaders who resist these recommendations.
“If we aren’t considered indigenous in South Africa, then where are we?” he questioned. “We don’t belong to the Netherlands, Germany, or France either,” he told a reporter.
The issue gained international attention when former President Donald Trump addressed concerns about the treatment of the white minority during a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who rejected claims of genocide, asserting that violent crime affects all racial groups in the country, and that black citizens often face the highest risks.
Reports have documented the brutality and racial motivations behind farm attacks in South Africa, disproportionately affecting white farmers, suggesting a complex layer of political issues. Rex Libertas claims that the existing political system fails to adequately embrace the country’s diverse ethnic and cultural landscape. They propose rethinking South Africa not as a single entity but as various regions with distinct identities.
The group’s report also highlights South Africa’s historical context, noting that before 1910, it comprised a mix of Boer Republics, British colonies, and various tribal territories. “It’s incredibly ethnically diverse,” Loetz remarked, suggesting that it encompasses not just different cultural communities but entire civilizations.
In light of these dynamics, Rex Libertas advocates for sustainable solutions through political decentralization that would grant autonomy to the various ethnic groups inhabiting South Africa. Roets indicated that solutions may vary from cultural autonomy to complete separation, depending on the South African government’s willingness to engage constructively. The group believes that shifting power from a “dysfunctional” central government to independent communities would benefit all South Africans while abolishing race-based laws, equalizing the judicial system, and defending property rights.
To promote these changes, Loetz went to Washington seeking international support for what they see as a necessary reform to the South African regime. Actions they are pursuing include public pressure tactics, targeted sanctions against officials, tariff exemptions for businesses not engaged in the Black Economic Empowerment program, and strict conditions for future trade and loans.
The group also seeks U.S. recognition for the push for autonomy among South Africans as a valid political movement, advocating for investment in supportive institutions and safe negotiations with Pretoria for autonomy agreements. They affirm that U.S. involvement could strategically bolster its interests and counteract negative sentiments surrounding America in light of South Africa’s UN voting patterns and ties to BRICS nations.
“We aren’t asking for much,” Roets noted, emphasizing that even minor U.S. actions could have significant positive implications. However, he acknowledged the risks involved, as four of his colleagues had faced scrutiny in the past for similar outreach efforts in the U.S.
Critically, Loetz contended that speaking out against one’s government shouldn’t be deemed treasonous, despite the possible backlash. “We can’t predict how they will respond. There may be an attempt to label this treason, but it’s absurd,” he said. His sentiments reflect a fierce commitment to defining their national identity, asserting, “We would rather fight to the death than give up on who we are.”
