South African Students in USA Share Insight Into Elections As Race Between Trump and Harris Heats Up

• Takalani Molaoa and Monthati Masebe are just two of the South Africans living in the United States of America
• Molaoa described how the feeling on the ground was more a sense of concern rather than excitement at the moment
• Masebe touched on how the student political landscape in America differed from that of the scene in South Africa

All eyes are on the race for the White House in the United States of America as Donald Trump and Kamala Harris go head to head.

While many South Africans have been following the situation from a distance, two locals are watching the action unfold more personally.

Takalani Molaoa and Monthati Masebe, who are both studying in the USA, shared their experience of the elections at ground level.

More concern than excitement

Read also

5 notable athletes who have publicly endorsed Donald Trump's US presidential bid

Molaoa, who has a sports scholarship at North West Missouri State University, described her group of friends' feelings as more concern than excitement.

Based in Maryville, Missouri, the Polokwane native said those she interacted with were leading more toward Democratic candidate Harris.

Molaoa, who is on a tennis scholarship in the US, also expressed concern over being a student from another country in the US if Trump took over.

The former president has previously expressed a desire to get rid of all illegal foreigners, with Molaoa saying she was worried how this would affect those who were there legally.

She already noted that more colleges were sponsoring American students over those from abroad.

The difference in student politics

Masebe, a Duke University student, noted how different student politics are in the US compared to South Africa.

Read also

LeBron James and 4 other top athletes supporting Kamala Harris to be US President

Based in Durham, North Carolina, she explained that South Africa’s student political scene was much more robust.

“People organise and lobby and engage in political conversations differently (in America), so there is not as much open public discussion about where people are leaning towards,” she said.

Masebe added that, as a result, it was hard to feel on the ground.

Billionaires supporting Donald Trump

As the 2024 US presidential election intensified, former President Donald Trump reignited his campaign with backing from some of America's richest individuals.

Key figures ramp up their financial contributions, helping Trump close the fundraising gap with President Joe Biden.

Briefly News highlights 12 prominent billionaires who are supporting Trump's campaign.

Source: Briefly News