🔗 Share this article Recently Appointed US Ambassador to South Africa Summoned Over ''Inappropriate'' Comments Bozell's comments about a contentious societal issue have been labeled as ''undiplomatic'' by the authorities. The Pretoria government has called in the new US ambassador following he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' comments regarding an historical chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role in recent weeks, sparked controversy by questioning a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, even though the Constitutional Court has previously determined that it does not. A official objection – 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 official of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the remarks. Forum Speech Ignites Dispute On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a corporate forum in the seaside resort of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa needed to fix. 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 lack of regard for the country's judiciary. He later retreated his position, saying he was ''ready to engage with South Africa in a positive manner'' and that ''Washington honors the autonomy of South Africa's courts''. Officials Responds Publicly At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his recent inappropriate remarks. Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the partnership between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''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 director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Broader Bilateral Strains Ties between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides disagreeing on commerce, foreign policy and South Africa's international alliances. 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, meanwhile, has criticised the US decision to give preference to 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 societal issue have been labeled as ''undiplomatic'' by the authorities. The Pretoria government has called in the new US ambassador following he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' comments regarding an historical chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role in recent weeks, sparked controversy by questioning a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, even though the Constitutional Court has previously determined that it does not. A official objection – 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 official of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the remarks. Forum Speech Ignites Dispute On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a corporate forum in the seaside resort of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa needed to fix. 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 lack of regard for the country's judiciary. He later retreated his position, saying he was ''ready to engage with South Africa in a positive manner'' and that ''Washington honors the autonomy of South Africa's courts''. Officials Responds Publicly At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his recent inappropriate remarks. Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the partnership between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''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 director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Broader Bilateral Strains Ties between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides disagreeing on commerce, foreign policy and South Africa's international alliances. 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, meanwhile, has criticised the US decision to give preference to 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.