🔗 Share this article Recently Appointed US Ambassador to South Africa Called In Over ''Undiplomatic'' Remarks Bozell's comments about a contentious societal issue have been labeled as ''undiplomatic'' by the government. The Pretoria government has summoned the new US ambassador after he made what they described as ''undiplomatic'' comments concerning an anti-apartheid chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role last month, sparked controversy by questioning a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. 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 issued by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''. He provided a clarification on Wednesday, and a representative of the department of international relations later said the ambassador had conveyed remorse and apologised for the remarks. Forum Address Sparks Controversy On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the seaside resort of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa needed to fix. One centered on the argument over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were taken as showing a disrespect for the country's judiciary. 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''. Officials Reacts Openly At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had summoned the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his latest 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. ''Mr Bozell expressed his regrets that these comments detracted from any impression that he wanted to work with us constructively'', stated Zane Dangor, the senior official of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Broader Diplomatic Tensions Ties between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides clashing over trade, foreign policy and South Africa's strategic partnerships. Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of failing to protect the country's white minority and denouncing 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 allegations of a targeted persecution have been widely discredited and are not supported by credible proof. Tensions intensified last year when the US imposed the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.
Bozell's comments about a contentious societal issue have been labeled as ''undiplomatic'' by the government. The Pretoria government has summoned the new US ambassador after he made what they described as ''undiplomatic'' comments concerning an anti-apartheid chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role last month, sparked controversy by questioning a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. 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 issued by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''. He provided a clarification on Wednesday, and a representative of the department of international relations later said the ambassador had conveyed remorse and apologised for the remarks. Forum Address Sparks Controversy On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the seaside resort of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa needed to fix. One centered on the argument over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were taken as showing a disrespect for the country's judiciary. 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''. Officials Reacts Openly At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had summoned the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his latest 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. ''Mr Bozell expressed his regrets that these comments detracted from any impression that he wanted to work with us constructively'', stated Zane Dangor, the senior official of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Broader Diplomatic Tensions Ties between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides clashing over trade, foreign policy and South Africa's strategic partnerships. Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of failing to protect the country's white minority and denouncing 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 allegations of a targeted persecution have been widely discredited and are not supported by credible proof. Tensions intensified last year when the US imposed the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.