🔗 Share this article New US Ambassador to South Africa Called In Over ''Inappropriate'' Comments Bozell's comments about a divisive racial issue have been labeled as ''undiplomatic'' by the authorities. The South African government has summoned the new US ambassador after he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' comments regarding an anti-apartheid chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role last month, caused offence by disagreeing with a court decision 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 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 clarification on Wednesday, and a representative of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the comments. Forum Address Ignites Controversy On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a business meeting in the coastal town of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa required addressing. One centered on the argument over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – comments that were interpreted as showing a lack of regard for the country's judiciary. 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 Responds Publicly At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had summoned the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his latest inappropriate remarks. Minister Ronald Lamola noted 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 Ties between the US and South Africa have deteriorated after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides clashing over trade, foreign policy and South Africa's international alliances. Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of not safeguarding the country's white minority and criticising its land reform plans. The South African government, meanwhile, has condemned the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a white genocide have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence. Frictions intensified last year when the US levied the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.
Bozell's comments about a divisive racial issue have been labeled as ''undiplomatic'' by the authorities. The South African government has summoned the new US ambassador after he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' comments regarding an anti-apartheid chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role last month, caused offence by disagreeing with a court decision 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 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 clarification on Wednesday, and a representative of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the comments. Forum Address Ignites Controversy On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a business meeting in the coastal town of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa required addressing. One centered on the argument over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – comments that were interpreted as showing a lack of regard for the country's judiciary. 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 Responds Publicly At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had summoned the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his latest inappropriate remarks. Minister Ronald Lamola noted 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 Ties between the US and South Africa have deteriorated after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides clashing over trade, foreign policy and South Africa's international alliances. Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of not safeguarding the country's white minority and criticising its land reform plans. The South African government, meanwhile, has condemned the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a white genocide have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence. Frictions intensified last year when the US levied the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.