🔗 Share this article New US Ambassador to South Africa Summoned Over ''Undiplomatic'' Comments Bozell's statements about a contentious racial issue have been labeled as ''undiplomatic'' by the authorities. The South African government has called in the recently arrived US ambassador after he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' comments regarding an historical chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role last month, sparked controversy by questioning a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, although the highest court has ruled previously that it does not. A formal protest – known as a diplomatic note – was lodged by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''. He provided a statement on Wednesday, and a representative of the department of international relations later said the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the comments. Forum Speech Ignites Controversy On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a corporate forum in the coastal town of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa required addressing. One centered on the debate over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – comments that were interpreted as showing a disrespect for the country's legal system. He subsequently walked back his stance, saying he was ''ready to engage with South Africa in a positive manner'' and that ''Washington honors the autonomy of South Africa's courts''. Officials Responds Publicly At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his latest 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. Broader Diplomatic Tensions Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated after 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 vocally disapproving 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, in turn, has condemned the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a white genocide have been largely debunked and are not supported by credible proof. Frictions intensified last year when the US imposed 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 recently arrived US ambassador after he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' comments regarding an historical chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role last month, sparked controversy by questioning a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, although the highest court has ruled previously that it does not. A formal protest – known as a diplomatic note – was lodged by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''. He provided a statement on Wednesday, and a representative of the department of international relations later said the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the comments. Forum Speech Ignites Controversy On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a corporate forum in the coastal town of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa required addressing. One centered on the debate over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – comments that were interpreted as showing a disrespect for the country's legal system. He subsequently walked back his stance, saying he was ''ready to engage with South Africa in a positive manner'' and that ''Washington honors the autonomy of South Africa's courts''. Officials Responds Publicly At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his latest 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. Broader Diplomatic Tensions Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated after 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 vocally disapproving 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, in turn, has condemned the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a white genocide have been largely debunked and are not supported by credible proof. Frictions intensified last year when the US imposed the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.