🔗 Share this article New 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 authorities. The Pretoria government has called in the recently arrived US ambassador following he made what they described as ''unacceptable'' comments regarding an anti-apartheid chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role in recent weeks, sparked controversy by questioning a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, even though the Constitutional Court has previously determined that it does not. A formal protest – known as a demarche – was lodged by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''. He provided a statement on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry later said the ambassador had expressed regret and apologised for the comments. Business Meeting Address Ignites Controversy On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a business meeting in the coastal town 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 – words that were interpreted as showing a disrespect for the country's judiciary. He subsequently walked back 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 Reacts Publicly At a press conference 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 partnership between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''Substantial South African capital is invested in the US economy'', 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 Strains Relations between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides disagreeing on commerce, diplomacy 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 denouncing its land reform plans. The South African government, meanwhile, has criticised the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a targeted persecution have been largely debunked and are not supported by credible proof. Tensions deepened 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 recently arrived US ambassador following he made what they described as ''unacceptable'' comments regarding an anti-apartheid chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role in recent weeks, sparked controversy by questioning a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, even though the Constitutional Court has previously determined that it does not. A formal protest – known as a demarche – was lodged by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''. He provided a statement on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry later said the ambassador had expressed regret and apologised for the comments. Business Meeting Address Ignites Controversy On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a business meeting in the coastal town 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 – words that were interpreted as showing a disrespect for the country's judiciary. He subsequently walked back 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 Reacts Publicly At a press conference 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 partnership between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''Substantial South African capital is invested in the US economy'', 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 Strains Relations between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides disagreeing on commerce, diplomacy 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 denouncing its land reform plans. The South African government, meanwhile, has criticised the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a targeted persecution have been largely debunked and are not supported by credible proof. Tensions deepened last year when the US imposed the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.