South African Argentines
Landing of Boer settlers in Argentina | |
| Total population | |
| 322 (by birth, 2022) 75,400 (by ancestry, 2020) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Mainly in Chubut and Río Negro | |
| Languages | |
| Majority: Spanish (Rioplatense) Minority: Afrikaans (Patagonian) | |
| Religion | |
| Majority: Protestantism Minority: Catholicism · Irreligion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Other Afrikaners · other Boers Afrikaner Canadians · Afrikaner Australians · Afrikaner Americans |
South African Argentines, also known as Boer Argentines, are Argentine citizens of South African descent, primarily Afrikaners who emigrated to Argentina in the early 20th century following the Second Anglo-Boer War. This migration was motivated by a desire to preserve their cultural identity and avoid British rule.
By the time of their migration, slavery had long been abolished in both South Africa and Argentina, and the Boer settlers established predominantly European communities.
The settlement began on 4 June 1902, with Afrikaners primarily establishing themselves in the Chubut Province of southern Argentina, particularly in the town of Sarmiento. A smaller group settled in the Río Negro Province. These regions were selected due to agricultural opportunities and favourable conditions for establishing Afrikaner communities.
South African settlers were entirely of Boer origin. While the Afrikaans language persists within the community today, it is spoken by only around 300 individuals. Argentina was chosen as a destination due to the government’s support for colonisation and opportunities for cultural and religious autonomy.