It is a well-known fact: South Africans rule the socials. Late last night as many slept, netizens on TikTok were reacting fast and furiously - and as always with a lot of humour - to US President Donald Trump’s latest attack on the country.
Trump made good on his promise to cut funding to South Africa over the government’s land expropriation policy and to resettle white farmers whose land he claims will be be expropriated without compensation. The Act is clear that only barren and un-used land is at risk of being expropriated, while productive land is not at risk.
In a late-night Executive Order on Friday, Trump accused South Africa’s government of “egregious actions” without providing any evidence, saying the recently enacted Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 (Act) would seize ethnic minority Afrikaners’ agricultural property without compensation.
It didn’t take long for South Africans to start reacting to the news.
While many comments on social media were hard-hitting and exposed the deep pain within the country, there were a few that created some light relief to the country facing a gamut of emotions.
@mashnotpotatoess Trump signs executive order aimed at South Africa, White House official says #mashnotpotatoes #southafricatiktok #newsstories #incaseyoumissedit #newsnexus ♬ original sound - mashnotpotatoes
In reaction to a TikTok by #mashnotpotatoes on the signing of the order, the comments were thick and fast.
While some said all Afrikaners were welcome to leave others teased their fellow citizens.
“They must leave the Boerewors, Bobotie and milk tart behind if they leave,” wrote #omnipotent.
Another, #EsauThabane, said it out loud and clear:
“Guys when you leave, I’m the mayor of Orania, let’s not fight about that.”
Another #siya_dlamxx followed that comment with: “Dibs on being the orania deputy president”.
Another Jones_K said: “this is kinda funny....&we know they won’t go.”
Others said that they can’t see farmers leaving their land and going to live in a flat in America, and another said: “wait until they have to try get a doctor’s appointment in US“.
Another commentator on Facebook said: “Not even half will leave, only a few opportunists..these guys love this place as much as we do hence they called themselves Afrikaans.“
Another said: “they are expecting a mass exodus they will be shocked at the few numbers... This whole American dream is a facade”.
While some made light of the order publicised throughout the world, many spoke of how bizarre the situation was with the general sentiment being that those who wanted to leave South Africa should do so ASAP.