Qualification - Can English Speaking South Africans Apply?

Whether you speak English, Afrikaans, or any other language does not determine if you can apply for refugee status.

The U.S. government does not look at your language when deciding on your eligibility. Instead, USCIS looks at whether your situation meets the official legal definition of a refugee.

To qualify, you must be able to prove that you have been persecuted  in the past, or that you have a very good reason to fear that you will be persecuted in the future.

This fear must be based on specific reasons defined by law, such as your race, religion, your nationality, your political opinions, or because you belong to a specific social group. Each case is looked at individually to see if it fits these strict legal requirements.

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Accidental Refugee

Source:  USCIS Refugees USCIS Refugees Overview