US seeks Kenyan staff for Afrikaner refugee plan in SA, stirring Pretoria’s disapproval amid tense US-SA relations.

US-Kenya Staff Plan Sparks Diplomatic Tensions in South Africa

This article was first published by Daily Maverick in South Africa.

The US State Department has asked South Africa to fast-track visas for about 30 Kenya-based workers to help process a controversial Afrikaner “refugee” resettlement programme. Pretoria, however, is far from enthusiastic.

According to the Department of Home Affairs, the visa applications were lodged on 29 July. If approved, the Nairobi-based team would work in South Africa for roughly two years before the US closes its resettlement window for Afrikaners.

Pretoria’s Reluctant Stance

Government Communication and Information System spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa said the issue was not formally on the Cabinet agenda. Still, insiders say it was raised informally — and the mood was one of irritation.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya made South Africa’s position clear in May:

“Our position is that there are no South African citizens who can be classified as refugees to any part of the world.”

Why Kenya is the Processing Hub

Since July 2025, all refugee processing for this programme has been handled by RSC Africa, run by Church World Service (CWS) in Nairobi, according to the US mission in South Africa.

RSC Africa is a trusted partner in the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) with over two decades of experience. It operates independently of the South African government.

In typical operations, CWS works with the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM), but in this case the IOM declined involvement — as did the Episcopal Church’s migration service.

While CWS has criticised the US for prioritising Afrikaners over other vulnerable groups, it agreed to facilitate the logistics of the project.

Visa Rules in Question

Immigration experts say Kenya-based staff do not qualify for South African work visas without a contract from a South African employer. Diplomatic visas are also unlikely, as the Vienna Convention does not cover this arrangement.

Home Affairs spokesperson Thulani Mavuso confirmed the workers have applied for volunteer visas, which legally require unpaid work. Yet, job listings on the CWS website show salaries above $2,109 (around R37,000) for similar positions — making “volunteer” status questionable.

Another Strain on US-SA Relations

The visa row comes as ties between Pretoria and Washington are already frayed. The US State Department’s 2024 human rights report accuses South Africa of worsening rights conditions, allegations Pretoria rejects.

Tensions also rose when SANDF chief General Rudzani Maphwanya met Iranian military leaders in Tehran, describing the two nations as sharing “common goals.” This, coupled with ongoing US export tariffs on South Africa, makes the visa issue more than just an administrative matter.

Though it involves only a few dozen people, the question is whether Pretoria will bend its rules for a US initiative it openly opposes — or hold its ground, risking a deeper diplomatic rift.