What do they call white South Africans?

Who Are the Afrikaners?

When people ask about white South Africans, one name often comes up: Afrikaners. This group, primarily of Dutch descent, has played a central role in shaping South Africa’s history and culture. While not all white South Africans are Afrikaners, the term has become closely associated with the Afrikaans-speaking community whose ancestors arrived in the Cape during the 17th century under Dutch rule.

The roots of the Afrikaner identity stretch back to the Dutch East India Company’s settlement at the Cape of Good Hope in 1652. Over time, these settlers developed their own distinct culture and language—Afrikaans—a derivative of Dutch with influences from German, French, and indigenous African languages. Today, Afrikaans remains one of South Africa’s 11 official languages.

While "white South African" is a broad racial and demographic label, "Afrikaner" carries deeper cultural, linguistic, and historical meaning. It reflects a shared heritage, traditions, and often a strong connection to the land and rural life. Historically, Afrikaners were at the forefront of the apartheid regime, a fact that complicates their modern identity in post-apartheid South Africa. Yet, many today are redefining what it means to be Afrikaner—embracing reconciliation, diversity, and a more inclusive national identity.

It’s important to note that not all white South Africans of European descent identify as Afrikaners. Some are English-speaking, with British ancestry, while others have German, Portuguese, or Greek roots. But when discussing the Afrikaans-speaking, predominantly Dutch-origin population, the term Afrikaner remains both accurate and significant.

In a country as diverse as South Africa, understanding these nuances helps foster a richer appreciation of its complex social fabric.