🔗 Share this article New US Envoy to South Africa Summoned Over ''Inappropriate'' Remarks Bozell's comments about a contentious societal issue have been labeled as ''undiplomatic'' by the government. The South African government has summoned the new US ambassador after he made what they described as ''undiplomatic'' comments concerning an anti-apartheid chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role last month, sparked controversy by disagreeing with a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Certain groups claim the chant constitutes hate speech, although the Constitutional 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 department of international relations later said the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the comments. Business Meeting Speech Sparks Dispute On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the coastal town of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa needed to fix. One centered on the argument over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – comments that were interpreted as demonstrating a disrespect for the country's judiciary. He later retreated his position, saying he was ''willing to work with South Africa constructively'' and that ''Washington honors the autonomy of South Africa's courts''. Officials Responds Openly At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had summoned the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his latest inappropriate 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. Wider Diplomatic Tensions Relations between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two nations disagreeing on commerce, diplomacy 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 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 claims of a targeted persecution have been largely debunked and are not supported by credible proof. Frictions deepened last year when the US imposed the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.
Bozell's comments about a contentious societal issue have been labeled as ''undiplomatic'' by the government. The South African government has summoned the new US ambassador after he made what they described as ''undiplomatic'' comments concerning an anti-apartheid chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role last month, sparked controversy by disagreeing with a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Certain groups claim the chant constitutes hate speech, although the Constitutional 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 department of international relations later said the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the comments. Business Meeting Speech Sparks Dispute On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the coastal town of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa needed to fix. One centered on the argument over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – comments that were interpreted as demonstrating a disrespect for the country's judiciary. He later retreated his position, saying he was ''willing to work with South Africa constructively'' and that ''Washington honors the autonomy of South Africa's courts''. Officials Responds Openly At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had summoned the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his latest inappropriate 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. Wider Diplomatic Tensions Relations between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two nations disagreeing on commerce, diplomacy 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 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 claims of a targeted persecution have been largely debunked and are not supported by credible proof. Frictions deepened last year when the US imposed the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.