Press Release– Farmers Must Not Pay the Price for Kallie Kriel’s Reckless Politics 

The People’s Movement for Change (PMC) expresses deep concern over the devastating impact that the United States’ new import tariffs will have on South African farmers. Let us be unequivocal: this is not the result of government policy, but of reckless political grandstanding by individuals like Kallie Kriel, who made it their mission to draw Donald Trump’s attention to South Africa in the most destructive way possible. 

Kallie Kriel – what exactly did you expect? 

When you went knocking on Trump’s door, you were not representing South African farmers—you were feeding them to the wolves. You invited one of the most protectionist leaders in modern history to target our nation under the guise of concern, and now the very people who feed this country are being punished for your shortsighted political stunts. 

You didn’t champion solutions. You lobbied for sanctions. 

You didn’t advocate for farmers. You dragged their livelihoods into your obsession with fear-based international posturing. And now, South African citrus farmers, wine producers, and agricultural workers – black and white – are staring down financial ruin, not because of ANC policy, but because of the childish provocation of a so-called civil rights organisation that has repeatedly placed ideology above patriotism. 

We say: March. Dump. Withdraw. 

To every farmer whose produce is now facing bans, delays, and losses due to these new tariffs – we urge you to march to Afriforum’s offices and dump your citrus, your grapes, and your spoiled exports right at their doorstep. Let them see and smell the price of their political theatre. To those farmers who still hold membership in Afriforum, ask yourselves this: can you in good conscience remain

aligned to an organisation whose foreign interference has now cost you your harvest, your jobs, and your future? 

Withdraw your support. Leave this unpatriotic organisation. Do not let their naivety cost you more than it already has. 

This is not about left or right. It’s about right and wrong. 

PMC will always hold government accountable for its failures. But this tariff is not one of them. It is a direct result of those who sought headlines and foreign intervention at the cost of our economy. Afriforum has hurt this country more than they have helped it, and their actions have now harmed not just the farmers, but the workers, the transporters, the exporters, and the families they support. Let this be a lesson: patriotism is not a performance on foreign stages. It is standing with your people at home. 

Zandre Allen
National Coordinator
People’s Movement for Change

For further communication contact:
Grant Harmse
Head of Communications
People’s Movement for Change
0659784075
communications@pmc.org.za