🔗 Share this article New US Envoy to South Africa Called In Over ''Inappropriate'' Remarks Bozell's comments about a divisive societal issue have been criticised as ''undiplomatic'' by the government. The Pretoria government has summoned the new US ambassador following he made what they described as ''unacceptable'' comments concerning an anti-apartheid chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role last month, caused offence by questioning a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, even though the highest court has previously determined that it does not. A formal protest – known as a demarche – was issued by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''. He provided a statement on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the comments. Forum Speech Ignites Dispute On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a business meeting in the seaside resort of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa needed to fix. One involved the debate over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were taken as showing a lack of regard for the country's judiciary. He subsequently walked back his stance, 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 Openly At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had called 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 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 Diplomatic Tensions Ties between the US and South Africa have soured since US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two nations clashing over commerce, foreign policy and South Africa's strategic partnerships. Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with failing to protect the country's white minority and criticising its land reform plans. The South African government, in turn, has condemned the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a targeted persecution have been largely debunked and lack reliable evidence. Frictions intensified last year when the US imposed the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.
Bozell's comments about a divisive societal issue have been criticised as ''undiplomatic'' by the government. The Pretoria government has summoned the new US ambassador following he made what they described as ''unacceptable'' comments concerning an anti-apartheid chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role last month, caused offence by questioning a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, even though the highest court has previously determined that it does not. A formal protest – known as a demarche – was issued by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''. He provided a statement on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the comments. Forum Speech Ignites Dispute On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a business meeting in the seaside resort of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa needed to fix. One involved the debate over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were taken as showing a lack of regard for the country's judiciary. He subsequently walked back his stance, 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 Openly At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had called 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 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 Diplomatic Tensions Ties between the US and South Africa have soured since US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two nations clashing over commerce, foreign policy and South Africa's strategic partnerships. Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with failing to protect the country's white minority and criticising its land reform plans. The South African government, in turn, has condemned the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a targeted persecution have been largely debunked and lack reliable evidence. Frictions intensified last year when the US imposed the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.