Left My 5-Bedroom House”: Afrikaner Refugee from Group of 49 Breaks Silence on Leaving SA

Afrikaner Refugee Speaks Out After Fleeing South Africa for the US

One of the 49 Afrikaner refugees who recently arrived in the United States has broken his silence in a revealing interview, sharing his reasons for leaving South Africa and the life he left behind. His emotional account has sparked mixed reactions online, with some sympathizing with his plight while others question the legitimacy of his refugee claims.

The group, now in the US, alleges they faced racial discrimination, land insecurity, and government neglect—claims the South African government denies, stating they were not persecuted. Their bid for asylum has ignited fierce debate, with some supporting their decision and others accusing them of fueling racial tensions.

In an interview with BBC News, Charl Kleinhaus, one of the refugees, opened up about his experience. A clip shared on TikTok showed him explaining the sacrifices he made. “I had to leave a five-bedroom house, my car behind, my dogs behind, my mother behind,” he said.

When challenged about the government’s denial and fellow Afrikaners calling them “cowards,” Kleinhaus defended his decision: “I did not come here for fun, but my children are safe. If you are white in South Africa, you are wrong in South Africa—you are land theft, you are racist. I had nothing to do with apartheid, nothing, nothing, nothing.”

He also described the unexpected welcome from the Trump administration and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau at Washington’s Dulles International Airport on May 12, 2025. “It was overwhelming. I thought we’d be taken somewhere in a shuttle bus and start working. We know we’ll start from the bottom—bottom, bottom, bottom,” he added.

Mixed Reactions from South Africans

Online, many South Africans expressed skepticism about the refugees’ claims. Some questioned why Kleinhaus left his mother behind if the country was truly unsafe, while others mocked his complaints about losing a five-bedroom house—a luxury most citizens cannot afford.

Notable comments included:

• “South Africa is so unsafe, yet he left his mother there?” – Benso
• *”Wow, your five-bedroom house? Most struggle to afford a 2-bedroom apartment.”* – BrokeMom2RichMom
• “Bro just ran away from his mortgage.” – Lement
• “He had shelter, clothes, and food. Meanwhile, kids in Gaza eat mouldy food.” – Hristina
• “He leaves his mother behind but claims he was suffering?” – MsLee

The debate continues as some argue the group’s claims undermine real refugee crises, while others believe their fears are justified.

Source: Briefly News