🔗 Share this article Recently Appointed US Ambassador to South Africa Summoned Over ''Inappropriate'' Remarks Bozell's statements about a divisive racial issue have been criticised as ''undiplomatic'' by the authorities. The Pretoria government has called in the new US ambassador following he made what they described as ''unacceptable'' comments concerning an historical chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role last month, caused offence by disagreeing with a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, although the Constitutional Court has ruled previously that it does not. A formal protest – known as a diplomatic note – was lodged by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''. He issued a statement on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry later said the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the comments. Forum Speech Ignites Controversy On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the coastal town of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa required addressing. One centered on the debate over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – words that were taken as showing a disrespect for the country's legal system. He later retreated his stance, saying he was ''ready to engage with South Africa in a positive manner'' 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 recent undiplomatic remarks. Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the relationship between South Africa and the US was mutual. ''South African companies maintain a significant investment in the United States'', Lamola said. ''The ambassador conveyed his regret that his statements undermined the constructive partnership he seeks'', stated Zane Dangor, the senior official of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Broader Diplomatic Strains Relations between the US and South Africa have soured since US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two nations disagreeing on commerce, foreign policy and South Africa's international alliances. Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with failing to protect the country's white minority and criticising its land redistribution plans. The South African government, in turn, has condemned the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a targeted persecution have been largely debunked and are not supported by credible proof. Frictions deepened last year when the US levied the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.
Bozell's statements about a divisive racial issue have been criticised as ''undiplomatic'' by the authorities. The Pretoria government has called in the new US ambassador following he made what they described as ''unacceptable'' comments concerning an historical chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role last month, caused offence by disagreeing with a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, although the Constitutional Court has ruled previously that it does not. A formal protest – known as a diplomatic note – was lodged by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''. He issued a statement on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry later said the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the comments. Forum Speech Ignites Controversy On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the coastal town of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa required addressing. One centered on the debate over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – words that were taken as showing a disrespect for the country's legal system. He later retreated his stance, saying he was ''ready to engage with South Africa in a positive manner'' 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 recent undiplomatic remarks. Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the relationship between South Africa and the US was mutual. ''South African companies maintain a significant investment in the United States'', Lamola said. ''The ambassador conveyed his regret that his statements undermined the constructive partnership he seeks'', stated Zane Dangor, the senior official of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Broader Diplomatic Strains Relations between the US and South Africa have soured since US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two nations disagreeing on commerce, foreign policy and South Africa's international alliances. Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with failing to protect the country's white minority and criticising its land redistribution plans. The South African government, in turn, has condemned the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a targeted persecution have been largely debunked and are not supported by credible proof. Frictions deepened last year when the US levied the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.