🔗 Share this article Recently Appointed US Envoy to South Africa Called In Over ''Inappropriate'' Comments Bozell's comments about a divisive societal issue have been criticised as ''undiplomatic'' by the authorities. The South African government has called in the recently arrived US ambassador following he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' comments concerning an anti-apartheid chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role in recent weeks, sparked controversy by questioning a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant constitutes hate speech, even though the highest court has ruled previously that it does not. A formal protest – known as a demarche – was lodged by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''. He issued a statement on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry later said the ambassador had conveyed remorse and apologised for the remarks. Forum Speech Ignites Dispute On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the seaside resort of Hermanus, outlining 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 demonstrating a disrespect 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 ''Washington honors the autonomy of South Africa's courts''. Officials Reacts Publicly At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his recent undiplomatic remarks. Minister Ronald Lamola added 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. ''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. Broader Diplomatic Tensions Ties between the US and South Africa have soured since US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two nations disagreeing on commerce, diplomacy and South Africa's strategic partnerships. Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with failing to protect the country's minority white population and denouncing its land reform plans. The South African government, in turn, 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. Tensions intensified last year when the US levied the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.
Bozell's comments about a divisive societal issue have been criticised as ''undiplomatic'' by the authorities. The South African government has called in the recently arrived US ambassador following he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' comments concerning an anti-apartheid chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role in recent weeks, sparked controversy by questioning a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant constitutes hate speech, even though the highest court has ruled previously that it does not. A formal protest – known as a demarche – was lodged by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''. He issued a statement on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry later said the ambassador had conveyed remorse and apologised for the remarks. Forum Speech Ignites Dispute On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the seaside resort of Hermanus, outlining 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 demonstrating a disrespect 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 ''Washington honors the autonomy of South Africa's courts''. Officials Reacts Publicly At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his recent undiplomatic remarks. Minister Ronald Lamola added 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. ''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. Broader Diplomatic Tensions Ties between the US and South Africa have soured since US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two nations disagreeing on commerce, diplomacy and South Africa's strategic partnerships. Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with failing to protect the country's minority white population and denouncing its land reform plans. The South African government, in turn, 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. Tensions intensified last year when the US levied the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.