Why Some White South Africans Are Moving Back Home Despite Trump’s Persecution Claims

A growing number of white South Africans who once left the country are now reconsidering their decision and moving back home.

The trend comes despite claims by former United States president Donald Trump that white South Africans are facing persecution under the country’s government.

For some expats, the decision to return is less about politics and more about lifestyle, family and a sense that South Africa still offers a quality of life they struggle to find elsewhere.

Expats Reconsider Life Abroad

Andrew Veitch is one of those preparing to return. The 53 year old left South Africa in 2003 after being robbed at gunpoint while sitting in his car. Like many others at the time, concerns about crime pushed him to seek opportunities abroad.

More than two decades later, he says his perspective has changed. Veitch now lives in California but plans to move back to South Africa this year.

He told Reuters he has grown increasingly uneasy about violence in the United States, pointing to mass shootings and controversial incidents involving immigration officers. For him, the idea of returning home feels like a safer and more stable choice.

His story reflects a broader pattern emerging among South African expats. While many left after the end of apartheid in 1994 due to concerns about crime or employment prospects, a noticeable number are now returning.

Government Opens Door For Citizenship Restoration

South Africa’s government has also made it easier for former citizens to reconnect with the country.

In November, an online portal was launched allowing people who lost their citizenship under a 1995 law to check and restore their status. The law had stripped citizenship from some South Africans who obtained foreign nationality.

According to Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, about 12,000 people have already checked their status through the system, with around 1,000 successfully reclaiming citizenship.

Schreiber believes the number could rise significantly as more South Africans abroad consider coming back. He understands the journey personally after spending time in the United States and Germany before returning to South Africa in 2016.

Lifestyle And Cost Of Living Driving Decisions

For many returning families, everyday life in South Africa plays a major role in the decision.

Naomi Saphire spent two decades living in the United States before deciding to relocate with her family to Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape.

After visiting South Africa on holiday, she realised how much she missed the lifestyle and sense of community. Today, she says her children spend far more time outdoors and the family benefits from more affordable healthcare and schooling.

She describes her return as deeply fulfilling and says many other South Africans abroad are also exploring the possibility of coming back.

Recruitment agencies that assist South African professionals relocating home have also noticed the shift. Two agencies reported a surge in inquiries from expats over the past few years.

Anton van Heerden, CEO of DNA Employer of Record, says interest from white South Africans looking to return has increased sharply in recent months. Another recruitment firm, HomecomingEx, has also recorded a steady rise in requests since 2024.

Remote Work Opens New Possibilities

One of the biggest factors making relocation easier is the rise of remote work.

Since the COVID 19 pandemic, many professionals have been able to keep international jobs while living in different countries. Some South Africans returning home are still employed by companies overseas while working remotely from within the country.

For these professionals, earning foreign currency while living in South Africa can dramatically improve their standard of living.

Van Heerden says that if people can afford secure housing and private security, they often find that their overall lifestyle in South Africa can compare favourably with life in many northern hemisphere countries.

A Complex National Conversation

The conversation about white South Africans returning home also sits alongside ongoing political debate.

Trump’s administration launched a refugee programme in 2025 focused on Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch settlers. Around 3,500 South Africans have reportedly entered the United States under the programme.

Some applicants claim they face racially motivated crime or difficulties linked to employment equity policies aimed at correcting historical inequality.

However, the South African government has repeatedly said there is no evidence that white citizens are being persecuted.

Statistics also show a complex picture. While crime remains a serious concern, national police data indicates that farm attacks and murders affect victims of multiple racial groups.

Meanwhile, economic inequality remains stark. According to the latest data from Statistics South Africa, unemployment among Black South Africans stands at around 35 percent, compared with roughly 8 percent for white South Africans.

Signs Of Optimism For Some Returnees

Despite the challenges the country still faces, some returnees believe South Africa is improving.

Engineer Eugene Jansen returned from the Netherlands in late 2025 with his wife and two children. Like many other expats he knows, he feels there are positive signs in the country’s direction.

One noticeable change, he says, is the improvement in electricity supply. Frequent load shedding that once disrupted daily life has eased significantly compared with previous years.

For Jansen and others, the decision to return is about reconnecting with home and believing in the country’s future.

And for thousands of South Africans scattered across the world, that pull toward home remains strong.

{Source:Reuters}

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