🔗 Share this article Recently Appointed US Ambassador to South Africa Summoned Over ''Inappropriate'' Remarks Bozell's comments about a contentious racial issue have been labeled as ''undiplomatic'' by the authorities. The South African government has summoned the new US ambassador following he made what they described as ''unacceptable'' observations concerning an anti-apartheid chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role in recent weeks, caused offence by disagreeing with a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Some argue the chant amounts to hate speech, even though the Constitutional Court has ruled previously that it does not. A formal protest – known as a demarche – was lodged by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''. He provided a clarification on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry later said the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the remarks. Forum Address Ignites Dispute On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a business meeting in the seaside resort of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa required addressing. One involved the argument over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – comments that were interpreted as showing a disrespect for the country's legal system. He subsequently walked back his position, saying he was ''willing to work with South Africa constructively'' and that ''the US government respects the independence of South Africa's judiciary''. Government Reacts Openly At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had summoned the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his latest undiplomatic remarks. Minister Ronald Lamola added that the partnership between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''Substantial South African capital is invested in the US economy'', Lamola said. ''The ambassador conveyed his regret that his statements undermined the constructive partnership he seeks'', stated Zane Dangor, the director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Wider Diplomatic Tensions Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two sides clashing over commerce, diplomacy and South Africa's strategic partnerships. Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of not safeguarding the country's white minority and criticising its land redistribution plans. The South African government, in turn, has condemned the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a white genocide have been largely debunked and lack reliable evidence. Tensions intensified last year when the US imposed the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.
Bozell's comments about a contentious racial issue have been labeled as ''undiplomatic'' by the authorities. The South African government has summoned the new US ambassador following he made what they described as ''unacceptable'' observations concerning an anti-apartheid chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role in recent weeks, caused offence by disagreeing with a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Some argue the chant amounts to hate speech, even though the Constitutional Court has ruled previously that it does not. A formal protest – known as a demarche – was lodged by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''. He provided a clarification on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry later said the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the remarks. Forum Address Ignites Dispute On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a business meeting in the seaside resort of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa required addressing. One involved the argument over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – comments that were interpreted as showing a disrespect for the country's legal system. He subsequently walked back his position, saying he was ''willing to work with South Africa constructively'' and that ''the US government respects the independence of South Africa's judiciary''. Government Reacts Openly At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had summoned the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his latest undiplomatic remarks. Minister Ronald Lamola added that the partnership between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''Substantial South African capital is invested in the US economy'', Lamola said. ''The ambassador conveyed his regret that his statements undermined the constructive partnership he seeks'', stated Zane Dangor, the director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Wider Diplomatic Tensions Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two sides clashing over commerce, diplomacy and South Africa's strategic partnerships. Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of not safeguarding the country's white minority and criticising its land redistribution plans. The South African government, in turn, has condemned the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a white genocide have been largely debunked and lack reliable evidence. Tensions intensified last year when the US imposed the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.