WASHINGTON DC – South African golfer Retief Goosen has described the dangers faced by farmers in his country during a meeting with US President Donald Trump, but avoided endorsing claims of “genocide” against White South Africans.
Goosen, who was part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s delegation to the White House on Wednesday, spoke about his family’s experience trying to protect their farmland. He said his relatives have faced arson attacks and theft, creating a “constant battle” for survival.
“There is some issues,” Goosen told Trump. “They live behind electric fences… to try and be at night, safe, but it is, it is constant whenever you leave, that something could happen.” He added that both his mother and brothers had been attacked in their homes.
While Trump has previously pushed the controversial and unproven claim that White South Africans are victims of “genocide,” Goosen did not support that view during the Oval Office discussion.
Also present at the meeting were fellow golfer Ernie Els and South African billionaire Johann Rupert. The trio joined Ramaphosa to discuss trade and investment, though Trump frequently returned to the issue of land and violence.
Trump praised the golfers more than the official delegation, calling them “champions” and saying they had earned his respect through their careers.
Ramaphosa, who visited Washington to attract economic support and shift focus to investment opportunities, struggled to keep the conversation from veering into politically sensitive territory.
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