Recently Appointed US Envoy to South Africa Summoned Over ''Inappropriate'' Comments

The South African government has called in the recently arrived US ambassador after he made what they described as ''undiplomatic'' observations concerning an historical chant.

Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role in recent weeks, sparked controversy by disagreeing with a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Some argue the chant amounts to hate speech, even though the Constitutional Court has previously determined that it does not.

A formal protest – known as a demarche – was lodged by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''.

He issued a statement on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry later said the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the comments.

Forum Address Ignites Controversy

On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a business meeting in the seaside resort of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa required addressing.

One involved the argument over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – words that were taken as showing a disrespect for the country's legal system.

He later retreated 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''.

Government Reacts Publicly

At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had summoned the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his latest inappropriate remarks.

Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the relationship between South Africa and the US was mutual. ''Substantial South African capital is invested in the US economy'', 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 director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Broader Bilateral 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 trade, diplomacy and South Africa's international alliances.

Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with not safeguarding the country's minority white population and denouncing its land redistribution plans.

The South African government, meanwhile, has condemned the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a targeted persecution have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence.

Frictions intensified last year when the US levied the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.