Keypoints:
- Trump adviser says genocide fears are overstated
- Crime, not race, is top concern of white farmers
- Brics plan to rival dollar draws Trump camp criticism
A KEY ally of US President Donald Trump has publicly dismissed claims of a ‘white genocide’ in South Africa, following face-to-face ta
lks with Afrikaners and other citizens during a recent visit.
Mark Burns, a South Carolina televangelist and Republican politician, told the Mail & Guardian that the narrative popularised in some right-wing circles in the United States does not match the realities on the ground in South Africa.
Burns, who previously served as a board member of Pastors for Trump and was listed by Time magazine as one of Trump’s top political advisers, made the remarks during his first trip to the country. His visit comes on the heels of a rocky stretch in US–South Africa relations, which included President Cyril Ramaphosa being confronted at the White House with allegations of anti-white violence and a controversial decision to grant asylum to 49 Afrikaner families.
‘This feels like home’
‘Honestly, I feel like I’m in America,’ Burns said of South Africa. ‘From the roads to the architecture, it’s very similar to South Carolina. The idea of a white genocide? That surprised everyone I spoke to here—black, white, coloured, Asian.’
He noted that among Afrikaner communities, few believed they were being specifically targeted for being white. Burns cited figures provided during his meetings: of over 5,200 murders recorded in the last quarter of 2024, only 12 involved farmers, and just three of those were white.
‘The people I met — and many were white Afrikaners — don’t buy into the genocide narrative. They know crime is
a problem, but they don’t feel racially hunted,’ he said.
BRICS and the dollar ‘threat’
Burns took a harder line on South Africa’s role in the BRICS bloc, warning that attempts by BRICS nations to build an alternative currency pose a direct threat to US economic interests.
‘Let’s not sugar-coat this. BRICS is trying to challenge the US dollar. And as President Trump says, that’s no good. It makes trade harder and damages global negotiation frameworks,’ Burns said.
He argued that the Trump administration supports international growth — including for South Africa — but that economic cooperation must align with the strength of the dollar.
Ramaphosa vs Trump: can styles align?
Asked whether the vastly different leadership styles of Ramaphosa and Trump can find common ground, Burns was blunt.
‘Trump’s not a warm-and-fuzzy politician. He’s a results guy. That’s why Americans elected him — because they’re tired of being played by the global system,’ he said.
Despite this, Burns encouraged South Africa’s president to keep extending the hand of diplomacy.
‘Invite him again. Get him on the golf course. Show him the country. If Trump sees the facts for himself, he listens. He’s open to change when the data is right,’ he said.
Migration, diplomacy and misinformation
Burns also addressed the perception of South African migrants in the US and the fallout from sensational claims aired in the American press.
He noted that misinformation spreads fast when it’s politically useful, and that Trump — known for his confrontational approach — could benefit from seeing the nuances firsthand.
‘If the story is that white farmers are being hunted, and then I come here and meet white farmers who say, “No, we just need better law enforcement,” that changes everything,’ said Burns.
The televangelist declined to confirm whether Trump will attend the G20 summit in South Africa this November but said he would personally advise him to attend.
‘Trump is a smart man. When presented with new facts, he rethinks things,’ he said.
