Pretoria – US Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, has issued an apology and clarification following sharply criticised comments about the anti‑apartheid “Kill the Boer” chant and other South African policies, saying his views were personal and not intended to disrespect the country’s institutions.
His remarks, delivered at a BizNews conference in Hermanus, Western Cape, sparked a significant diplomatic response from the South African government and heightened tensions in bilateral relations.
Bozell had initially condemned the “Kill the Boer” chant — which South Africa’s courts have ruled does not constitute hate speech and should be understood in its struggle‑history context — as “hate speech” and expressed apparent frustration with South Africa’s judiciary.
“I’m sorry, I don’t care what your courts say, it’s hate speech,” Bozell said at Tuesday’s meeting of business leaders, a comment that drew widespread criticism for seeming to undermine the decisions of South African courts.
In his subsequent clarification shared on the official US Embassy account on X (formerly Twitter), Bozell emphasised that his personal view aligns with many South Africans who see the chant as harmful, but stressed that the US government respects the independence and findings of South Africa’s judiciary.
Thanks to @BizNewsCOM for hosting me yesterday. I want to clarify that while my personal view—like that of many South Africans—is that “Kill the Boer” constitutes hate speech, the U.S. government respects the independence and findings of South Africa’s judiciary.
— U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa (@USAmbRSA) March 11, 2026
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) responded firmly to Bozell’s initial comments.
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola said the ambassador’s remarks were “undiplomatic” and inconsistent with established diplomatic etiquette and international norms, prompting DIRCO to summon Bozell for a formal demarche — a customary diplomatic protest that requires an explanation from the envoy.
Lamola stressed that while South Africa values public diplomacy and engagement with international partners, such exchanges must respect both protocol and South Africa’s constitutional framework.
WATCH | Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola says they have called the US ambassador to Pretoria, Leo Brent Bozell, to explain his recent undiplomatic remarks. He adds that the relationship between South Africa and the US is not one-sided. pic.twitter.com/39hjiQo7Rf
— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 11, 2026
He reiterated that policies like broad‑based black economic empowerment (B‑BBEE) — which Bozell had also commented on — are fundamental constitutional instruments to address historical injustices and not “reverse racism”, as he said the ambassador had suggested.
“We reiterate that broad-based black economic empowerment is not reverse racism, as regrettably insinuated by the ambassador.”
“It is a fundamental instrument designed to address the structural imbalances of South Africa’s unique history. It is a constitutional imperative that the South African government can and will never abandon,” he said.
Lamola also cautioned that the ambassador should not “take us back to a polarised society along racial lines” and underlined the importance of strengthening, rather than straining, South Africa–US relations.
WATCH | Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola says that the US ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell, is a guest whose role is to support efforts to build one nation. pic.twitter.com/66wT78EkqY
— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 11, 2026
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
