🔗 Share this article Recently Appointed US Ambassador to South Africa Called In Over ''Inappropriate'' Remarks Bozell's statements about a contentious racial issue have been labeled as ''undiplomatic'' by the authorities. The South African government has called in the new US ambassador after he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' comments concerning an historical chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role in recent weeks, sparked controversy by disagreeing with a legal ruling 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 issued by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''. He provided a clarification on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the remarks. Forum Address Sparks Dispute On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a business meeting in the seaside resort of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa needed to fix. One centered on the debate over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – comments that were interpreted as showing a disrespect for the country's legal system. 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 recent inappropriate remarks. Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the partnership between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''South African companies maintain a significant investment in the United States'', 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 senior official of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Wider Bilateral Tensions Relations between the US and South Africa have soured since US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides clashing over commerce, foreign policy and South Africa's strategic partnerships. Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with not safeguarding the country's white minority and criticising its land reform plans. The South African government, meanwhile, has condemned the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a white genocide have been largely debunked and lack reliable evidence. Frictions deepened last year when the US levied the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.
Bozell's statements about a contentious racial issue have been labeled as ''undiplomatic'' by the authorities. The South African government has called in the new US ambassador after he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' comments concerning an historical chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role in recent weeks, sparked controversy by disagreeing with a legal ruling 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 issued by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''. He provided a clarification on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the remarks. Forum Address Sparks Dispute On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a business meeting in the seaside resort of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa needed to fix. One centered on the debate over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – comments that were interpreted as showing a disrespect for the country's legal system. 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 recent inappropriate remarks. Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the partnership between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''South African companies maintain a significant investment in the United States'', 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 senior official of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Wider Bilateral Tensions Relations between the US and South Africa have soured since US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides clashing over commerce, foreign policy and South Africa's strategic partnerships. Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with not safeguarding the country's white minority and criticising its land reform plans. The South African government, meanwhile, has condemned the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a white genocide have been largely debunked and lack reliable evidence. Frictions deepened last year when the US levied the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.