“Push Through”: Afrikaner Man Sends Heartfelt Message to SA H-2A Farmers Working in the US
- An Afrikaner man, Michael Scheepers, recorded a viral motivational message on the beach in Langebaan, Western Cape
- The video specifically targets South Africans working under the H-2A seasonal agricultural visa program in the United States
- Viewers and social media users commended his encouraging words as an inspiring reminder of home and community support
- Briefly News reached out to Michael Scheepers, who shared an encouraging message of solidarity and support for South Africans working abroad on seasonal visas
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Source: Instagram
A South African man took to social media to send an uplifting message of support to local seasonal workers currently labouring in the US. In a video shared on Instagram by user @michaelscheepersofficial on 11 October 2026, he delivered a heartfelt shoutout while walking along the beach in Langebaan, Western Cape. Speaking directly in Afrikaans to South Africans employed as H-2A agricultural workers in the United States, he acknowledged how difficult the final stretch of the working year can be when fatigue sets in, and long distance takes its toll.
In his message, he acknowledged that he understands how challenging this period can be, urging the workers to push through this demanding final leg of the year. He encouraged them to make one last push and to keep reminding themselves of why they took on the journey and made such sacrifices in the first place. Reassuring them that everyone back home is backing them and eagerly awaiting their return, he added that the holiday season is just around the corner.
Resonating with South Africans across the globe
The H-2A visa programme allows non-immigrant foreign workers, including many young South African farmers and agricultural workers, to perform seasonal farm labour in the United States. While the opportunity provides valuable international exposure and competitive earnings, spending extended periods away from loved ones often presents significant mental and physical challenges.
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The brief yet powerful message reminded workers to keep their end goals in sight and remember why they chose to make sacrifices for their futures back home. His reminder that home is waiting for them as the holiday season approaches provided a welcome sense of connection and appreciation.
Watch the Instagram reel below:
Michael opens up about supporting H-2A workers abroad
The Briefly News team spoke with Michael Scheepers following his viral video aimed at uplifting South Africans working overseas on the H-2A seasonal agricultural visa program.
We asked Michael what inspired him to record this specific message for the H-2A workers in the US, and whether he personally knows people working on seasonal visas abroad. Michael explained that his motivation came from both personal friendships and his own past experiences:
"My inspiration for this specific message has two sides to it. One is that I actually have a lot of friends who work over there. Some of them have been working there for over five years now—they are really good friends of mine, and I know how difficult and hard it is for those guys to work abroad. Given some of the circumstances they are in, it's not easy to work hard while being away from home, your family, and everything else. So yeah, I thought, let me take a step of faith and confidence and just make a video for those guys."
He further detailed how navigating a long-distance marriage helped him empathise with the sacrifices workers make to support their families back home:
"Secondly, I've been in a similar situation before with my wife, just in a different industry where we were also long-distance, and it is very difficult. I don't know if you yourself are in a relationship or married, but yeah, it's hard when you're away from your spouse. I don't have children, but I can only imagine how difficult it is when you do have children, and the amount of strain it puts on families, as well as on the husband himself for carrying that responsibility.
Some of these guys end up working over there under circumstances that aren't always the best, as I said, and then they have to pull through. My thought behind it was that if just one guy could see this message and it gave him a positive start to his day, helping him get through these last few months before they all come home—around November time, I think—then I would be happy with that. So that's basically what inspired me to do this. And yes, as I said, I personally know a lot of people over there."
When the team asked what message he has for the families back home who are waiting for their loved ones to return for the holidays, Michael urged loved ones to hold onto patience and remember their overarching purpose:
"When it comes to a message I would have for the families back home and the ones who return, I'd basically say: just be patient. That's the number one thing. And whenever things get too difficult, just return to the reason why you decided to go and work abroad in the first place."
Mzansi reacts to the touching beach message
The video drew widespread praise online, with viewers praising the gesture and echoing his sentiments of support for workers representing South Africa abroad.
@chrisxdare commented:
"So good 🔥👏."
@michaelscheepersofficial wrote:
"Dude, let me know when you visit the Western Cape❤️ I promise you will love it here."
@stu_wood added:
"Keep the fires hot and the beers cold back home, boys. Dezemba, we are coming for you ZA❤️."
@where.is.jake shared:
"I'm not South African, but I love learning about the country and its culture and history. I want to visit one day, and every South African person I've ever met has been so friendly, and many of you are hilarious too."
Other articles about Afrikaners in America
- An American pea farmer went viral on TikTok after revealing he is struggling to recruit H-2A visa workers—including South Africans—despite offering a weekly salary of R25,000 alongside housing and utility benefits.
- A seasonal farmer operating heavy machinery in the United States on an H-2A visa shared how creating educational videos about the recruitment process helps him cope with homesickness.
- A South African H-2A seasonal visa worker on an American farm shared a video of himself planting crops late into the night until 2:00 AM, impressing many social media users.
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Source: Briefly News
