New US Ambassador, Brent Bozell III.
Image: AFP
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed that new US Ambassador to South Africa, Brent Bozell III, has been démarched to explain his anti-diplomatic comments in public.
This comes after Bozell made remarks during his attendance at a BizNews conference in Hermanus, Western Cape, on Tuesday, about the "Kill the Boer" chant.
He had said, "I’m sorry, I don’t care what your courts say. It’s hate speech."
Bozell had highlighted the growing frustration between the two countries, particularly over unresolved demands that the South African government had yet to address.
He outlined five critical issues where the US had sought clearer responses from the South African government. These include the reevaluation of the Expropriation Act, addressing Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) policies, condemnation of the "Kill the Boer" chant, protection of White Farmers and rural safety and shift to a non-aligned foreign policy.
“I’ll tell you where our position has been very firm. We put them forward to the South African government, we’ve been waiting for almost a year for a response, and as I’ve made clear in meetings that I’ve had, the United States is running out of patience,” Bozell said.
He also urged business leaders to be more vocal about policies that could be holding back economic growth, specifically referencing BBBEE.
Bozell later backtracked on his criticisms of the controversial "Kill the Boer" chant.
The US diplomat took to his official @USAmbRSA account on X to clarify his position.
"I want to clarify that while my personal view—like that of many South Africans—is that 'Kill the Boer' constitutes hate speech, the US government respects the independence and findings of South Africa’s judiciary," Bozell wrote.
Speaking during a media briefing Wednesday evening, Lamola slammed Bozell's remarks saying it was unacceptable.
“While South Africa welcomes public diplomacy and the strengthening of bilateral ties, we emphasised that such engagements must remain consistent with established etiquette and international protocols. In this regard we have called in Ambassador Bozell to explain his anti-diplomatic remarks," he said.
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has also entered the fray to criticise Bozell’s remarks.
"We must make it clear to all whom we welcome in our beautiful country, including the new US ambassador, that South Africa's international relations policy will not be dictated to by anyone else but South Africans and their government. Threats of investors pulling out such as Amazon, Google, VISA and Microsoft are unfounded. These companies came to the G20 even though the Trump administration didn't show up. US companies are confident in the South African economy as seen by Walmart recently entering the South African market," Mbalula said.
The EFF also warned Bozell against issuing threats against the country. The party called for his immediate expulsion, describing his comments as disrespectful and unwarranted interference in South Africa's domestic and foreign policy.
"Bozell has taken it upon himself to dictate South Africa's domestic and foreign policy. His suggestions are disrespectful and out of line. The US has no say in what constitutes our laws or who we associate with. South Africa is a sovereign nation, and we will pursue our own interests and policies."
"In our view, Bozell's comments warrant expulsion as an Ambassador to South Africa, as he has expressed contempt for our country, the President of South Africa, the legislature and our judiciary."
Cape Times