🔗 Share this article New US Ambassador to South Africa Called In Over ''Inappropriate'' Comments The ambassador's comments about a contentious racial issue have been criticised as ''undiplomatic'' by the government. The South African government has called in the new US ambassador following he made what they described as ''undiplomatic'' observations concerning an historical chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role in recent weeks, caused offence by questioning a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Some argue the chant constitutes hate speech, although the highest court has previously determined that it does not. A official objection – known as a diplomatic note – was lodged 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 department of international relations later said the ambassador had expressed regret and apologised for the remarks. Business Meeting Speech Ignites Controversy On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a corporate forum in the seaside resort of Hermanus, presenting 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 – comments that were taken as demonstrating a disrespect for the country's legal system. He later retreated his position, 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 Publicly At a media briefing 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 added that the partnership between South Africa and the US was mutual. ''Substantial South African capital is invested in the US economy'', 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. Wider Diplomatic Tensions Ties between the US and South Africa have deteriorated after US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two nations clashing over commerce, diplomacy and South Africa's international alliances. Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with not safeguarding the country's minority white population and denouncing its land redistribution 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 are not supported by credible proof. Tensions intensified last year when the US imposed the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.
The ambassador's comments about a contentious racial issue have been criticised as ''undiplomatic'' by the government. The South African government has called in the new US ambassador following he made what they described as ''undiplomatic'' observations concerning an historical chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role in recent weeks, caused offence by questioning a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Some argue the chant constitutes hate speech, although the highest court has previously determined that it does not. A official objection – known as a diplomatic note – was lodged 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 department of international relations later said the ambassador had expressed regret and apologised for the remarks. Business Meeting Speech Ignites Controversy On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a corporate forum in the seaside resort of Hermanus, presenting 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 – comments that were taken as demonstrating a disrespect for the country's legal system. He later retreated his position, 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 Publicly At a media briefing 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 added that the partnership between South Africa and the US was mutual. ''Substantial South African capital is invested in the US economy'', 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. Wider Diplomatic Tensions Ties between the US and South Africa have deteriorated after US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two nations clashing over commerce, diplomacy and South Africa's international alliances. Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with not safeguarding the country's minority white population and denouncing its land redistribution 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 are not supported by credible proof. Tensions intensified last year when the US imposed the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.