South Africa has found itself at the unlikely center of an American political firestorm, Elon Musk, who grew up there during apartheid, weighing in repeatedly. Last week, America welcomed the first group of South African Afrikaans refugees to the country,

President Donald Trump has been needlessly antagonistic to the young democracy. By almost any measure, South Africa is one of the continent’s rare democratic success stories.

President Cyril Ramaphosa called the white South Africans “cowardly” for leaving for the United States. President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa said the white South Africans who left for the United States after being granted refugee status by President Trump were “cowardly,” as tensions mount between the two countries.

This opinion piece challenges the claim of 142 race-based laws in South Africa, exploring the historical context of privilege and the ongoing need for redress.