According to the NPR, the South African Afrikaner refugees are given P-1 status:
The Afrikaners have been given P1 refugee status. According to the State Department website this is given to "individual cases referred by designated entities to the program by virtue of their circumstances and apparent need for resettlement."
P1 status is the priority 1 refugee status:
P-1 allows consideration of refugee claims from persons of any nationality, usually with compelling protection needs, for whom resettlement appears to be the appropriate durable solution. P-1 cases are identified and referred to the USRAP by U.S. embassy, UNHCR, or a designated non-governmental organization (NGO). UNHCR has historically referred the vast majority of P-1 cases; however, USRAP will no longer accept referrals from UNHCR except in the categories listed in this year’s allocation in the Presidential Determination.
According to a BBC article, UNHCR wasn't involved in this process:
The BBC has contacted the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, which confirmed it was not involved in this resettlement scheme, nor was it asked to take part in any of the screening.
This specific refugee group has clearly benefited from the internal US politics, and would very likely not have qualified for a refugee status anywhere else. There's no evidence that I'm aware of that they were in any way persecuted.
"Is it also true that refugees are not treated the same as immigrants and that you are expected to eventually return to your country of origin if you go on refugee status?"
No, it is not true. See here and the linked statute. There's no requirement or expectation of ever returning. See also here:
Upon admission to the United States, DHS provides refugees with a Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, which does not expire.
"Also, do you actually have the right to work in the USA if you have refugee status?"
Yes. See this publication by the US DOJ.
