Johannesburg – President Cyril Ramaphosa has met US Ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III in Tshwane as Pretoria and Washington seek to strengthen and recalibrate relations that have deteriorated sharply over the past two years.
The meeting took place at Ramaphosa’s official residence, Mahlamba Ndlopfu, on Thursday, 27 August.
According to the Presidency, the engagement was aimed at reaffirming both countries’ commitment to constructive dialogue on issues of mutual interest.
“The engagement provides an opportunity to strengthen and recalibrate South Africa-United States relations and reaffirm both countries’ commitment to constructive engagement on matters of mutual interest,” the Presidency said.
View this post on Instagram
The meeting comes after a series of diplomatic disputes, including disagreements over South Africa’s foreign policy, its relations with Iran and China, its legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice, and US allegations concerning the treatment of white South Africans.
Tensions intensified after US President Donald Trump returned to office and suspended US aid to South Africa while introducing a refugee programme for Afrikaners. Washington has also repeatedly made claims of “white genocide” in South Africa, allegations rejected by Pretoria.
Bozell himself has previously caused diplomatic friction after criticising aspects of South Africa’s domestic and foreign policies. In March, he described the “Kill the Boer” chant as hate speech and said he “didn’t care” about a Constitutional Court ruling concerning the chant, prompting Pretoria to issue a démarche.
The ambassador’s appointment initially came amid particularly strained relations.
Africanews reported in April that Bozell had started his tenure on a difficult footing but later adopted a more conciliatory tone.
South Africa’s sovereignty
“Before I arrived here, I cannot tell you how many people told me that in short order, I’d fall in love with the country. It’s only taken two months and I can confirm that has happened,” Bozell said at the ceremony where Ramaphosa received his diplomatic credentials.
He added: “We are two nations with great shared values and interests… It’s my goal in my time here to build on those shared interests, to build on self-respect, to build on our shared values, to take our two nations to places they’ve never been.”
Ramaphosa, meanwhile, has repeatedly defended South Africa’s sovereignty and non-aligned foreign policy while stressing the importance of diplomatic engagement.
The latest meeting follows a separate engagement between International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola and Bozell earlier this month. News24 reported that the meeting formed part of continuing efforts to improve diplomatic relations between Pretoria and Washington.
The two countries also have significant economic interests at stake. Africanews reported that South Africa is the United States’ largest trading partner on the African continent, with more than 500 US businesses and about 30,000 US citizens based in the country.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: Instagram / presidencyza
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
