The Citizen
US may spend millions to find out why Afrikaners aren’t taking Trump’s refugee offer
The United States (US) is reportedly considering spending more than $335,000 (about R6 million) on research and an advertising campaign in South Africa to determine why significantly fewer Afrikaners than expected have applied for refugee status under a programme championed by US President Donald Trump. In 2025, the US State Department said President Donald Trump had “prioritised” refugee admissions for Afrikaners. Refugee programme The refugee programme stems from a 2025 executive order signed by Trump, which prioritised Afrikaner resettlement on the grounds that they face racial discrimination in South Africa. Pretoria criticised the decision by the US to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a white genocide have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence. In May, The Citizen reported that more white South Africans could be heading to the US after the Trump administration proposed plans to admit an additional 10 000 Afrikaner asylum seekers from South Africa, raising the refugee cap for this group to 17 500 in 2026. The move came as arrivals near the current ceiling of 7 500, with Washington citing an “emergency refugee situation” linked to false claims of racial persecution and threats to farming communities. Afrikaners The Trump administration’s decision, unveiled on 19 May, was expected to cost $100 million and followed a February 2025 executive order prioritising Afrikaner resettlement while cutting aid to South Africa. Afrikaners now account for 99% of refugee admissions since October 2025, highlighting the programme’s sharp focus compared with restrictions on other nationalities. US officials falsely claim Afrikaners face race‑based discrimination, escalating hostility and targeted violence, particularly against farmers. South Africa criticised the decision by the US to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a white genocide have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence. The government argues that land reform laws apply broadly and that violent crime is a national challenge. Lukewarm response However, according to a report by The Guardian, US officials are puzzled by the lukewarm response despite a policy that prioritises Afrikaner resettlement in America. State department officials, according to an August proposal seen by the publication, outlined a roughly $335,000 research and advertising effort after applications to the refugee program “trended lower than expected” since Afrikaners were allowed to apply directly online in November 2025. In July, The Citizen reported that hundreds of Afrikaners hoping to relocate to the US, under Trump’s refugee programme for minority groups, were informed that their visa applications were rejected after falsely claiming genocide. Some applicants had already resigned from their jobs, sold their possessions, received vaccinations, and completed the required orientation courses, Proposal The document, written by the US mission in South Africa with a department research unit for the embassy in Pretoria, admits officials know little about why. “There’s currently little research about why Afrikaners are not applying to request referral into the US Refugee Admissions Program,” the proposal reads. The proposal outlines a three-phase project involving focus groups, surveys, and a six-month Afrikaans-language media campaign to understand and encourage refugee applications from Afrikaners. The report states that US officials are considering conducting research in areas including Pretoria, Krugersdorp, Bloemfontein, Stellenbosch, Kimberley and Orania to better understand attitudes towards emigration. Final phase The final phase would involve targeted digital advertising aimed at Afrikaners interested in moving abroad. The refugee initiative forms part of broader tensions between Washington and Pretoria, which have included disputes over South Africa’s foreign policy positions, land reform laws, and allegations of anti-white discrimination.
The Citizen
Bronkhorstspruit water declared unsafe as treatment plant struggles
Residents have been warned that the quality of the water from the Bronkhorstspruit water treatment plant is not suitable for human consumption. “The plant is still operating at 26% with one high lift pump and one raw water pump. The deteriorated raw water quality, which was caused by high turbidity, makes it difficult for the plant to produce drinkable water under its current operating capacity.” Communities affected by unsafe water warning The affected areas include region 7, which supplies Bronkhorstspruit town and suburbs, Zithobeni, Rethabiseng, Kandustria, Ekangala and Thembisile Hani Local Municipality. WaterCAN water expert Ferrial Adam said Bronkhorstspruit residents have endured ongoing water problems for more than a year. “How long does the City of Tshwane expect people to wait while it issues notices and claims its technical teams are monitoring the situation?” she asked. “Monitoring is not fixing and notices are not accountability. The city cannot keep acknowledging a problem without demonstrating meaningful progress towards resolving it. “This is beginning to look like putting a plaster on a fracture, while residents bear the consequences of a municipality failing to deliver a basic service.” Adam said the mayor and municipal manager must account for why the problem has persisted for more than a year, identify who is responsible for resolving it and explain what consequences will follow if commitments are not met. “Residents deserve action, transparency and consequences for failure. Water tankers are not a solution to this issue, especially in Tshwane,” she added. Governance failures blamed Tarryn Johnston, a water intelligence analyst specialising in governance diagnostics and collapse pattern interpretation, said this notice reflects a governance failure rather than a technical anomaly. “When a water treatment plant declares its output not suitable for human consumption, the root cause is almost never the plant itself – it is the upstream governance of the catchment, the enforcement of effluent standards and the maintenance of critical infrastructure,” she said. “High turbidity indicates that the Bronkhorstspruit is receiving excessive pollution loads or sediment inflow, which should have been prevented through proactive catchment management and regulatory oversight. “A treatment plant cannot compensate for deteriorating raw water quality when governance upstream has collapsed.” Plant operating at just 26% capacity Johnston said the fact that the plant is operating at only 26% capacity, with just one raw water pump and one high lift pump, shows a lack of resilience in infrastructure. “This is a governance issue. Critical systems should never be allowed to degrade to single point of failure operation. “Communities in Region 7 – and even cross-border municipalities – are now dependent on tankered water, which is an emergency response, not a sustainable service model. “This underscores the urgent need for integrated catchment governance, infrastructure investment and accountability mechanisms that prevent crises rather than react to them.”
The South African
Revealed: Kaizer Chiefs offered R4 million for PSL winger
According to Sukazi, Kaizer Chiefs failed to meet his R10 million valuation for the 22-year-old winger who delivered six goals and six assists in 37 games last season. The Rockets chairman revealed the story during a candid chat on Andile Ncube’s Sports Night Amplified show on Metro FM. KAIZER CHIEFS OFFER FOR SELULEKO MAHLAMBI Asked whether TS Galaxy has had any offers for Mahlambi considering his ability, Sukazi said: “There has never been any monetary offers outside Kaizer Chiefs… Kaizer Motaung Jr tabled a R4 million offer. I thought really, it was not good enough in my view. For a player like that.” “At least he should be on those R10 million and above, at least…For that player. He is young. Kaizer Motaung was not prepared to budge. R4 million was the number and he stood his ground.” Meanwhile, Mahlambi is yet to find the back of the net or an assist in six games this season. LANGELIHLE PHILI RATHER THAN MAHLAMBI Following the failed bid to land Mahlambi, Kaizer Chiefs landed the services of Phili, 21, from Stellenbosch FC on an undisclosed fee but included Ashley Du Preez and Given Msimango, who joined Stellies. Phili arrived at Naturena after nine goals and one assist in 39 games for Stellenbosch last season. After scoring one goal in three games for Amakhosi, Phili sadly suffered an ankle injury in August. Kaizer Chiefs’ full list of signings included Thabo Moloisane (central defender), Renaldo Leaner (goalkeeper), Adolf Mtasingwa (midfielder) and Faiz Abrahams (winger). The Soweto giants, sitting in fourth place, are yet to taste defeat in the league this season with five draws and three wins in eight games. Kaizer Chiefs return to action this weekend with a trip to Zambia to battle Red Arrows in the CAF Confederation Cup second round preliminary qualifier on Saturday at 15:00. WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF KAIZER CHIEFS’ SIGNINGS THIS SEASON? Share your thoughts by clicking on the red comments block below.
The South African
WEATHER TODAY: Richards Bay hits 39°C as heat wave holds Eastern Cape and KZN
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2px}.tsaw-tb{padding:10px}.tsaw-tb table{font-size:14px!important}.tsaw-tb th{font-size:12px}.tsaw-tb th:nth-child(1){width:20%}.tsaw-tb th:nth-child(2){width:30%}.tsaw-tb td b.ln{font-size:inherit;letter-spacing:0}.tsaw-tb td .dd{display:inline;margin-right:4px}.tsaw-tb td .ic{display:inline-block;margin-right:4px}.tsaw-band,.tsaw-ev{padding-left:14px;padding-right:14px}.tsaw-in{margin:0 14px 12px}.tsaw-m{padding:10px 14px}.tsaw-more{margin:8px -14px -10px;padding:8px 14px;font-size:12px}}Weather advisories are in place from 12:00 to 22:59 for Nelspruit, Ermelo and Barberton, from 08:00 to 17:59 for Beaufort West and Oudtshoorn, and for Queenstown and Matatiele, while a Level 10 warning for veld fire conditions covers Cradock, Graaff-Reinet and Pofadder. Upington reaches 37°C and Pietermaritzburg and Mthatha 36°C, and the only rain chance, 30%, comes with thunderstorms over Gauteng, eMalahleni, Rustenburg, Potchefstroom and Newcastle.Weather warnings for Friday 16 OctoberSAWS has 4 weather warnings in force for Friday, the highest warning level 10 for veld fire conditions. Tap a warning to see the areas and what to do.Red level 10Veld Fire ConditionsWhereLady Frere, Somerset East, Graaff – Reinet, Cradock + 27 moreWhenFri 08:00 to 18:59Areas: Lady Frere, Somerset East, Graaff – Reinet, Cradock, Pofadder, Prince Albert, Calvinia, Beaufort West, Ladismith, Oudtshoorn, Laingsburg, De Aar, Griquastad, Aliwal North, Groblershoop, Prieska, Augrabies Falls, Warrenton, Hopetown, Fauresmith, Kimberley, Victoria West, Daniëlskuil, Upington, Petrusville, Noupoort, Barkly West, Koffiefontein, Twee Rivieren, Jan Kempdorp and 1 more.Damage to property/settlements, loss of grazing land and possible loss of animal and/or human life.What to do: Public is advised not to start any fires under these conditions. At first sign of smoke, every possible measure should be taken in order to bring the fire under control in the shortest possible time.Warning AdvisoryWeather AdvisoryWhereMatatiele, Mount Ayliff, Molteno, Queenstown + 15 moreWhenvalid until 23:59 on 17 OctoberAreas: Matatiele, Mount Ayliff, Molteno, Queenstown, Grahamstown, Libode, Lady Frere, Tsolo, Elliot, Lusikisiki, Tarkastad, Stutterheim, Cofimvaba, Ntabankulu, Dutywa, Maclear, Bizana, Ngcobo, Cradock.High discomfortHeat exhaustionDehydration.Heat related illnessesWhat to do: Drink lots of liquids and stay in shaded/cool areas with lots of ventilation. Avoid strenuous activities. Avoid exposure during the hottest time of the day. Do not keep elderly and children inside the cars. Seek help if you feel dizzy, weak, having intense thirst and headaches.Warning AdvisoryWeather AdvisoryWherePrince Albert, Beaufort West, Ladismith, OudtshoornWhenFri 08:00 to 17:59Areas: Prince Albert, Beaufort West, Ladismith, Oudtshoorn.When the temperature is extremely high, humans’ ability to cool their bodies through sweating is reduced. This can be a real threat that may lead to hyperthermia.In an extremely hot environment, the most serious health and safety concern is heat stroke. Heat stroke can be fatal if medical attention is not available immediately.What to do: Avoid prolonged direct exposure to the sun as far as possible and drink plenty of water. Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Never leave kids in the car unattended. Make sure your animals have access to enough water. Check on vulnerable individuals, including the elderly and young children.Warning AdvisoryWeather AdvisoryWhereStanderton, Skukuza, Piet Retief, Barberton + 8 moreWhenFri 12:00 to 22:59Areas: Standerton, Skukuza, Piet Retief, Barberton, Nelspruit, Ermelo, Amersfoort, Witbank, Secunda, Carolina, Middelburg, Machadodorp.Persistently high temperatures affect the humans ability to cool their bodies through sweating. This can be a real threat that leads to heat related illness such as hyperthermia, heat stroke and respiratory conditions.In an extremely hot environment, the serious health and safety concern is heat stroke.What to do: – stay hydrated, limit outdoor activities during the hottest time of the day, wear appropriate clothing, and keep an eye on vulnerable Individuals.SAWS advisoryImpact-Based WarningsWhat1 item, tap to readSEVERE WEATHER ALERTS:.SAWS advisoryFire Danger WarningsWhat1 item, tap to readExtremely high fire danger conditions are expected over most parts of the Northern Cape, eastern parts of the Western Cape, in places over the western and central parts of the Eastern Cape, western parts of the Free State, in places over the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal, south-eastern parts of Mpumalanga as well as the northern and western parts of Limpopo.SAWS advisoryAdvisoriesWhat3 items, tap to readA heat wave with persistently high temperatures is expected in places over the Chris Hani, O.R Tambo and Alfred Nzo District Municipalities in the Eastern Cape until Saturday, and in places over the northern parts of KwaZulu Natal until Sunday, as well as in places over Mpumalanga, except along the Escarpment until Monday.Very hot to extremely hot and uncomfortable conditions are expected in places over the Central and Little Karoo District Municipalities in the Western Cape, as well as the eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal.Extremely uncomfortable and humid conditions are expected in places south of the Escarpment in the Eastern Cape.Moon tonightWaxing Crescent32% litThe moon tonight is a waxing crescent, about 32% lit, and the next full moon is on Monday 26 October.Weather today by province, Friday 16 OctoberView 7-Day Weather ForecastEach province lists its main towns with today’s sky, low and high, rain chance and wind; every province starts closed, tap one to open it. Tide times are inside Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Today Johannesburg peaks at 30°C.GautengJohannesburg, Pretoria, Soweto, VereenigingThunderstorms carry a 30% chance of rain, with Pretoria going from 18°C to 31°C, Johannesburg from 14°C to 30°C, and Soweto and Vereeniging reaching 31°C.Johannesburg todayThunderstorms30°14°30%N 5 km/hTap for cities and townsTap to close GautengTowns todayTownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/hJohannesburgThunderstorms14°30°30%N 5PretoriaThunderstorms18°31°30%NE 5SowetoThunderstorms13°31°30%N 5VereenigingThunderstorms14°31°30%N 5Western CapeCape Town, Stellenbosch, Paarl, George · tidesPrince Albert, Beaufort West, Ladismith and Oudtshoorn have a weather advisory from 08:00 to 17:59. Cape Town stays dry at 20°C, Paarl reaches 27°C and George 26°C.Cape Town todayHigh cloud20°14°0%N 10 km/hTap for cities and townsTap to close Western CapeTowns todayTownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/hCape TownHigh cloud14°20°0%N 10StellenboschHigh cloud9°25°0%WNW 15PaarlHigh cloud12°27°0%WNW 10GeorgeHigh cloud12°26°0%S 5Tides: Cape TownDayLow tideHigh tideFri 16 Oct11:5506:02, 18:05Mpumalanga and Limpopo next today: Mbombela reaches 32°C and Polokwane reaches 31°C.MpumalangaMbombela, eMalahleni, ErmeloA weather advisory runs from 12:00 to 22:59 for Nelspruit, Barberton, Skukuza, Ermelo, Piet Retief and Standerton. Mbombela stays clear at 32°C, Ermelo reaches 31°C and eMalahleni sees a 30% storm chance.Mbombela todayClear32°17°0%NE 10 km/hTap for cities and townsTap to close MpumalangaTowns todayTownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/hMbombelaClear17°32°0%NE 10eMalahleniThunderstorms15°30°30%N 5ErmeloPartly cloudy11°31°0%NW 5LimpopoPolokwane, Tzaneen, Thohoyandou, MusinaClear skies and dry heat everywhere, with Musina the hottest at 36°C after a 20°C start, Thohoyandou at 34°C, Tzaneen at 32°C and Polokwane at 31°C.Polokwane todayClear31°16°0%ENE 10 km/hTap for cities and townsTap to close LimpopoTowns todayTownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/hPolokwaneClear16°31°0%ENE 10TzaneenClear14°32°0%ENE 10ThohoyandouClear17°34°0%E 10MusinaClear20°36°0%E 15North West and Free State follow today: Mahikeng reaches 34°C and Bloemfontein reaches 32°C.North WestMahikeng, Rustenburg, Potchefstroom, KlerksdorpRustenburg and Potchefstroom have a 30% chance of showers and thundershowers with highs of 33°C, while Mahikeng stays dry at 34°C and Klerksdorp is mostly clear at 33°C.Mahikeng todayPartly cloudy34°15°0%NE 5 km/hTap for cities and townsTap to close North WestTowns todayTownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/hMahikengPartly cloudy15°34°0%NE 5RustenburgRain, storms16°33°30%NE 5PotchefstroomRain, storms13°33°30%NNW 5KlerksdorpMostly clear13°33°0%NNW 5Free StateBloemfontein, Bethlehem, KroonstadA dry day, with Kroonstad the warmest at 34°C, Bloemfontein rising from 11°C to 32°C and Bethlehem climbing from a cool 9°C to 31°C.Bloemfontein todayMostly clear32°11°0%WNW 10 km/hTap for cities and townsTap to close Free StateTowns todayTownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/hBloemfonteinMostly clear11°32°0%WNW 10BethlehemPartly cloudy9°31°0%NNE 5KroonstadMostly clear16°34°0%NNE 5Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal close the list today: Kimberley reaches 35°C, Gqeberha reaches 27°C and Durban reaches 31°C.Northern CapeKimberley, Upington, Springbok, De Aar · tidesUpington tops out at 37°C and Kimberley at 35°C under mostly clear skies, with Springbok and De Aar on 33°C. Pofadder is under the veld fire warning from 08:00 to 18:59.Kimberley todayMostly clear35°17°0%WNW 10 km/hTap for cities and townsTap to close Northern CapeTowns todayTownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/hKimberleyMostly clear17°35°0%WNW 10UpingtonMostly clear16°37°0%NW 15SpringbokClear17°33°0%NW 10De AarPartly cloudy15°33°0%NW 15Tides: Port Nolloth (modelled)DayLow tideHigh tideFri 16 Oct11:1705:30, 17:35Eastern CapeGqeberha, East London, Mthatha, Queenstown · tidesMthatha heats up to 36°C and Queenstown to 33°C, with a weather advisory in force all day for Queenstown, Matatiele, Mount Ayliff and Libode. Gqeberha and East London reach 27°C.Gqeberha todayHigh cloud27°14°0%SE 10 km/hTap for cities and townsTap to close Eastern CapeTowns todayTownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/hGqeberhaHigh cloud14°27°0%SE 10East LondonHigh cloud17°27°0%E 10MthathaCloudy17°36°0%SW 5QueenstownHigh cloud15°33°0%W 15Tides: GqeberhaDayLow tideHigh tideFri 16 Oct12:0006:07, 18:11Tides: East LondonDayLow tideHigh tideFri 16 Oct12:0106:01, 18:03KwaZulu-NatalDurban, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay, Newcastle · tidesRichards Bay is set for 39°C and Pietermaritzburg for 36°C, with Durban clear at 31°C after a 21°C start. Newcastle reaches 35°C with a 30% chance of thundershowers.Durban todayClear31°21°0%ENE 10 km/hTap for cities and townsTap to close KwaZulu-NatalTowns todayTownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/hDurbanClear21°31°0%ENE 10PietermaritzburgMostly clear17°36°0%E 5Richards BayClear20°39°0%NE 10NewcastleRain, storms15°35°30%NE 5Tides: DurbanDayLow tideHigh tideFri 16 Oct11:5805:59, 18:06View the 7-Day Weather ForecastForecast data: the South African Weather Service and other third-party sources and providers, brought together with the latest AI tools. We take great care to get every figure right, but mistakes are possible.More weather news, warnings and forecasts are on The South African’s weather page.
