South Africa’s Land Expropriation Act Sparks Global Uproar

A recently enacted South African law aimed at correcting long-standing land inequality has ignited a wave of racial and political tension, drawing sharp criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, while South African leaders have strongly defended the move.

Signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa on January 23, 2025, the Expropriation Act of 2024 allows land expropriation without compensation under specific conditions. The legislation has reopened deeply emotional debates surrounding apartheid-era injustices and modern land reform efforts in one of Africa’s most developed nations.

The Act seeks to address disparities stemming from colonial and apartheid-era policies, sparking mixed reactions across the country. Under the 1913 Natives Land Act, Black South Africans, who make up 80% of the population, were restricted to just 7% of the land, while white settlers gained control of most fertile farmland.

By 2017, white South Africans—around 8% of the population—owned 72% of privately held farmland, while 64% of Black South Africans remained without land ownership.

Replacing the 1975 apartheid-era Expropriation Act, the new law allows for “nil compensation” in cases involving abandoned, underutilized, or state-held land, with a goal to empower Black farmers and tackle urban housing shortages.

“This is about justice, not vengeance,” Ramaphosa said during a February speech, affirming that no land has been expropriated without compensation since the Act was enacted.

“The law respects property rights while addressing a painful history of dispossession.”

Despite government assurances, the Act has stirred concern from opposition parties. The Democratic Alliance (DA)—a majority-white party and coalition partner—warns that the law grants too much power to the state and may discourage foreign investment. They’ve filed a constitutional challenge, comparing the law to apartheid-era seizures used to displace Black communities.

AgriSA, a prominent farming organization, has also voiced concerns about economic impacts and possible U.S. tariffs tied to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which is due to expire in September 2025.

International tensions escalated when Donald Trump, on February 2, accused South Africa of “confiscating land” and committing “human rights violations” against white farmers.

By February 7, Trump signed an executive order suspending U.S. aid to South Africa and offering refugee status to Afrikaner farmers, citing claims of “racially discriminatory property confiscation.”

Elon Musk, a South African-born billionaire, echoed Trump’s remarks, labeling the law “openly racist ownership laws” and referring to widely debunked “white genocide” narratives. While South Africa reports roughly 50 farm murders annually, experts stress this is part of the country’s broader violent crime landscape and not state-sponsored violence.

In response, the ANC accused Trump and Musk of spreading misinformation. “No land has been seized,” said Pule Mabe, ANC spokesperson. “This is a deliberate distortion to undermine our democracy.” Ramaphosa has since reached out to Musk directly, inviting him to see the reality firsthand.

To manage global perceptions, South Africa has deployed diplomatic envoys to clarify the law’s purpose, assuring foreign partners that it aligns with the Constitution and global norms like eminent domain.

At the grassroots level, the Act is having a deeply emotional impact. In Pretoria, 47-year-old farmworker Shadrack Maseko expressed hope the law will give him land of his own after years of working on white-owned farms. Meanwhile, in Stellenbosch, white farmer Johan Pretorius shared fears of losing his vineyard, recalling Zimbabwe’s economic collapse post-land reforms in the 2000s. However, legal expert Tembeka Ngcukaitobi argues that the law is narrowly applied, with disputes subject to judicial oversight or a Compensation Review Tribunal.

Public response has also been divided. In February, far-right group Solidarity Movement protested against the law, while pro-reform parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) pushed for faster redistribution.

“South Africa stands at a crossroads,” said agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo. “The law could empower millions, but missteps or misinformation could destabilize the economy.”

As the DA’s legal challenge unfolds and U.S.-South Africa diplomatic ties strain, global attention remains fixed on the country’s land reform efforts. Ramaphosa remains steadfast in his vision.

“We are building a nation where land is shared, not hoarded,” he said.

Still, as political rifts deepen and misinformation spreads, South Africa’s path to land equity continues to be a delicate and highly charged journey.