United States ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell suggested that Washington is losing patience with the South African government because it has not addressed several issues that the United States has raised.
Image: KRIS CONNOR / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation has summoned the United States ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, following controversial remarks he made about the chant “Kill the Boer” and broader issues affecting relations between Pretoria and Washington.
The move comes after Bozell stated that the chant should be regarded as hate speech. He made the remarks while delivering a keynote address at an event in Hermanus in the Western Cape. His comments have since sparked political backlash and renewed debate about diplomatic conduct and the role of foreign representatives in domestic political matters.
Speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola said South Africa supports active public diplomacy and continued engagement with international partners. However, he stressed that these engagements must respect diplomatic norms and international protocol.
Lamola confirmed that the government had asked the ambassador to explain statements that it believes crossed the line of acceptable diplomatic conduct.
“We have called in the ambassador of the United States, Ambassador Bozell, to explain remarks that we regard as undiplomatic,” Lamola said.
The minister added that the ambassador had previously visited several historical sites across South Africa where he engaged with the country’s past and the legacy of apartheid. These visits included the Apartheid Museum and the District Six Museum.
“In those engagements and visits to various sites in South Africa he acknowledged that, given our history, South Africa requires redress and that he is willing to work with us constructively in this regard,” Lamola said.
At the centre of the controversy is the chant “Kill the Boer,” which has been the subject of legal and political debate for several years. Bozell argued during his speech that the chant should be considered hate speech regardless of how South African courts have interpreted it.
“I am sorry. I do not care what your courts say. It is hate speech,” he said.
His comments have drawn criticism from the Economic Freedom Fighters, which has accused the ambassador of undermining South Africa’s judiciary. The party has called on Mandisa Maya to condemn what it describes as attacks on the courts by the US envoy.
The EFF said Bozell’s remarks ignore the legal findings of several South African courts that have previously ruled on the chant. According to the party, the Equality Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court of South Africa have examined the chant and determined that it forms part of the country’s historical and political context.
The courts found that the chant is linked to the history of resistance during the struggle against apartheid and should not be interpreted as a literal call for violence when used in its political context.
The EFF said the ambassador’s remarks reflect what it described as an irresponsible right wing narrative that seeks to undermine the authority of South Africa’s legal institutions.
“Bozell has joined a right wing chorus in South Africa that has undermined judgments by the Equality Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court which have affirmed that the liberation chant ‘Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer’ constitutes free speech,” the party said.
The party added that the courts had made it clear that the chant must be understood within the context of South Africa’s struggle history and not as a direct incitement to violence.
The EFF also warned that the ambassador’s comments could set a concerning precedent in which a foreign government openly questions the legitimacy of South Africa’s judiciary.
“Bozell’s comments are a direct insult to South Africa’s judicial system and constitute a worrying example of a foreign nation disregarding the integrity and standing of our courts,” the party said.
The political party also raised concerns that economic pressure could be used to influence South Africa’s legal system. It warned that linking threats of disinvestment with criticism of court rulings could be interpreted as an attempt to intimidate judges.
“If the US ambassador is not called into order for linking threats of disinvestment with a disregard for our courts and legislation, it raises concern about whether such tactics could be used to intimidate our courts and judges into making decisions that align with the domestic and foreign policy demands of the United States,” the party said.
The EFF has called for diplomatic consequences and reiterated its position that Bozell should be expelled and declared persona non grata in South Africa.
The ambassador’s remarks also come amid broader tensions between South Africa and the United States over foreign policy and domestic legislation. Bozell suggested that Washington is losing patience with the South African government because it has not addressed several issues that the United States has raised.
Among the matters reportedly raised are calls for South Africa to reconsider the Expropriation Act and its policies related to broad based black economic empowerment. The United States has also urged South Africa to condemn the “Kill the Boer” chant and to prioritise investigations into farm murders to protect white farmers.
In addition, Washington has reportedly called for South Africa to adopt a more neutral stance in global affairs. It is also understood that the United States would like South Africa to reconsider its participation in BRICS and withdraw its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Bozell also criticised South Africa’s message of condolence after Iranian leader Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed in joint United States and Israeli strikes. Referring to the diplomatic message, Bozell said the gesture reflected poorly on relations between the two countries.
Meanwhile Fikile Mbalula has pushed back against suggestions that the United States could pressure South Africa economically.
Mbalula said threats that major American companies may withdraw investment from the country are unfounded. He pointed to the continued presence of multinational corporations operating in South Africa as evidence of investor confidence.
According to Mbalula, companies such as Amazon, Google, Visa and Microsoft remain active in the country.
He also noted that Walmart recently expanded its presence in South Africa, demonstrating that international investors continue to view the country as a viable destination for business.
Mbalula said South Africa remains open for business and committed to maintaining strong economic ties with partners around the world.
He added that the country believes in a global system where power is shared among several international partners and where nations work together through institutions that uphold international law and cooperation.