🔗 Share this article New US Envoy to South Africa Summoned Over ''Inappropriate'' Comments Bozell's statements about a divisive societal issue have been labeled as ''undiplomatic'' by the government. The South African government has summoned the recently arrived 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 court decision about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, even though the Constitutional Court has ruled previously 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 representative of the department of international relations later said the ambassador had conveyed remorse and apologised for the remarks. Forum Address Sparks Dispute On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the seaside resort of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa needed to fix. 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 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 Reacts Publicly At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his latest undiplomatic remarks. Minister Ronald Lamola added that the relationship 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 director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Broader Diplomatic Tensions Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated 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 vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of failing to protect the country's white minority and denouncing its land reform plans. The South African government, meanwhile, has condemned the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a white genocide have been largely debunked and are not supported by credible proof. Tensions intensified last year when the US levied the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.
Bozell's statements about a divisive societal issue have been labeled as ''undiplomatic'' by the government. The South African government has summoned the recently arrived 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 court decision about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, even though the Constitutional Court has ruled previously 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 representative of the department of international relations later said the ambassador had conveyed remorse and apologised for the remarks. Forum Address Sparks Dispute On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the seaside resort of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa needed to fix. 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 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 Reacts Publicly At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his latest undiplomatic remarks. Minister Ronald Lamola added that the relationship 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 director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Broader Diplomatic Tensions Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated 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 vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of failing to protect the country's white minority and denouncing its land reform plans. The South African government, meanwhile, has condemned the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a white genocide have been largely debunked and are not supported by credible proof. Tensions intensified last year when the US levied the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.