South African separatists seek Trump's help for autonomy drive

• Where and when? A group of white separatists from Orania, the only town in South Africa inhabited exclusively by white people, travelled to the U.S. last week.
• Why? The aim of the visit was to seek support from President Donald Trump in their quest for autonomy from the government in Pretoria.
• What’s next? The separatists met with Republican Party politicians, arguing that the central government in South Africa is ineffective.

A group of white separatists from Orania, a town in the Republic of South Africa, has requested assistance from U.S. President Donald Trump to help them gain independence from the government in Pretoria.

Joost Strydom, leader of the Orania Movement, emphasized that their objective is to preserve Afrikaner culture, rather than promote racism.

The South African government has repeatedly dismissed Orania's aspirations for independence, stressing national unity and the constitutional illegality of racial enclaves. Nonetheless, the approximately 3,000 residents of Orania continue to strive for self-governance that will allow them to maintain their language, culture, and economic interests.

The town, founded in 1991, has its own currency and pursues a policy aimed at preserving Afrikaner culture.

Orania's leaders met with Republican Party politicians in the U.S., persuading them that the diverse nature of South Africa makes central governance ineffective. The separatists hope to capitalize on President Trump's critical view of the current South African government, as he sees racism as a factor, victimizing white Afrikaners.