Elon Musk’s father seeks Russian sanctuary for white South African farmers

A proposal to resettle South African farmers in Russia has emerged as a new geopolitical flashpoint, with Errol Musk confirming he is involved in a project to secure refugee status for Afrikaners, a white minority group in South Africa.

• Errol Musk has confirmed involvement in a Russian-backed initiative to resettle South African Afrikaner farmers.
• The proposal mirrors a controversial US refugee programme that Pretoria strongly disputes.
• Analysts warn the move could strain diplomatic ties between South Africa and Russia.
• The issue highlights growing geopolitical competition over migration narratives and influence in Africa.

Speaking from Moscow, Musk said the initiative centres on “providing refugee status to South African farmers”, though he declined to offer operational details. The plan, reportedly discussed with regional Russian authorities, could see up to 50 families relocated to the Vladimir region, according to Governor Aleksandr Avdeyev.

The proposal mirrors a controversial policy by the administration of former US President Donald Trump, under which nearly 5,000 white Afrikaners have been admitted to the United States as refugees since early 2025. Washington justified the move by alleging that Afrikaners face persecution in post-apartheid South Africa, a claim strongly rejected by Pretoria.

South Africa’s government has consistently denied any systemic discrimination against white farmers, arguing that crime in rural areas affects all communities. Officials have also criticised the US program, describing it as politically motivated and misrepresentative of domestic realities.

Musk senior echoed similar concerns in Russian media, claiming Afrikaner farmers were being targeted by violent crime, an assertion that remains highly contested. Analysts warn that such narratives risk inflaming tensions and distorting the broader context of South Africa’s complex socio-economic challenges.

The involvement of Vladimir Putin adds a diplomatic dimension to the initiative. Russia and South Africa maintain longstanding ties dating back to the anti-apartheid struggle, with Moscow historically supporting the African National Congress. Experts suggest the proposed resettlement could test that relationship, particularly if it is perceived as undermining Pretoria’s stance.

“This is puzzling and could create tensions,” said Friedrich von Treskow, a researcher focused on Russian influence in southern Africa, noting South Africa’s cautious approach to criticising Moscow.

The debate also intersects with ongoing tensions involving Elon Musk, who has accused the South African government of discriminatory policies after regulatory hurdles affected his satellite internet company, Starlink. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office has dismissed such claims as “lies and disinformation”.

While Afrikaner migration to Russia has been reported in small numbers since 2018, Errol Musk’s involvement marks a notable escalation, raising questions about the intersection of migration, politics, and global influence.

As competing narratives from Washington, Moscow, and Pretoria continue to unfold, the proposed resettlement underscores how domestic issues in South Africa are increasingly being reframed within broader geopolitical rivalries.