Trending Now - South Africa Requests US Ambassador's Explanation Amid Tensions

WHO:

Ronald Lamola, South African Foreign Minister

Zane Dangor, Foreign Ministry Director-General

Leo Brent Bozell III, U.S. ambassador to South Africa

South African foreign minister

President Trump

WHAT:

Bozell stated, “While South Africa welcomes active public diplomacy and the strengthening of bilateral ties, we emphasize that such engagements must remain consistent with established diplomatic etiquette and international protocols.”

Bozell expressed frustration that the U.S. had not received any reply from South Africa regarding the five requests made around a year ago.

Bozell apologized for his comments regarding South Africa’s policies after being summoned.

Bozell stated that South Africa should change its affirmative action laws and land expropriation laws.

Bozell criticized a South African court ruling regarding an apartheid-era chant, stating, “I am sorry, I don’t care what your courts say, it’s hate speech.”

Bozell mentioned that the U.S. had presented five requests to the South African government about a year ago to improve ties, which included distancing from Iran and changing affirmative action laws.

Bozell was summoned to explain his criticism of South Africa’s policies.

Bozell made comments challenging the South African government regarding its diplomatic ties with Iran and affirmative action laws.

A diplomatic rift has developed between the U.S. and South Africa.

WHERE:

Pretoria, South Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa

WHEN:

Bozell took up his role in Pretoria in February 2026.

The meeting where Bozell made his comments occurred on March 10th, 2026.

The South African foreign minister made the statement on March 11th, 2026.

WHY:

The diplomatic rift has deepened since Trump returned to office, with claims that South Africa's policies are anti-American and anti-white.

The rift has grown since Trump returned to office, with Trump criticizing South Africa’s Black-led government and its policies.

HOW:

Bozell criticized a South African court ruling regarding an apartheid-era chant, stating, “I am sorry, I don’t care what your courts say, it’s hate speech.” He later clarified that this comment reflected his personal view and that “the U.S. government respects the independence and findings of South Africa’s judiciary.”

Bozell expressed frustration that the U.S. had not received any reply from South Africa regarding the five requests.

Bozell's comments were made during a meeting with business leaders.

(UPDATED March 12, 2026 05:22 UTC)

In a recent statement, South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola and Foreign Ministry Director-General Zane Dangor addressed the growing diplomatic tensions with the U.S., emphasizing the importance of adhering to established diplomatic etiquette. U.S. officials, including Bozell, expressed frustration over the lack of response from South Africa regarding five requests made nearly a year ago, while also criticizing a South African court ruling on an apartheid-era chant, labeling it as hate speech. Bozell clarified that his comments were personal opinions and reiterated that the U.S. government respects the independence of South Africa's judiciary.

(UPDATED March 12, 2026 01:28 UTC)

In a significant diplomatic development, Bozell has apologized for his recent comments about South Africa's policies after being summoned by officials. He had previously criticized the country's affirmative action and land expropriation laws, as well as a court ruling on an apartheid-era chant, stating that he believes it constitutes hate speech. Bozell also expressed frustration over the lack of response from South Africa regarding five requests made by the U.S. about a year ago, which aimed to improve relations amid claims that South Africa's policies are anti-American and anti-white since Trump returned to office.

(UPDATED March 11, 2026 23:09 UTC)

In a significant diplomatic development, President Trump has sparked a rift with South Africa following comments made by Leo Brent Bozell III, the U.S. ambassador to South Africa, during a meeting with business leaders on March 10. Bozell was summoned by the South African foreign minister to explain his criticism of the country’s policies, particularly regarding its diplomatic ties with Iran and affirmative action laws. This tension has escalated since Trump returned to office, as he has openly criticized South Africa’s Black-led government and its policies.