The South African government has summoned the new US ambassador, Leo Brent Bozell III, over his comments about the anti-apartheid chant “Kill The Boer”.
Bozell had disagreed with a Constitutional Court ruling that the chant does not constitute hate speech, saying “I’m sorry, I don’t care what your courts say, it’s hate speech”.
The government issued a formal protest, known as a demarche, and expressed disappointment with Bozell’s remarks.
The ambassador later clarified that his comments were his personal view and that the US government respects South Africa’s judiciary.
Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola emphasized that South Africa’s relationship with the US is not one-sided, highlighting significant investments by South African companies in the US.
Bozell has apologized and expressed regret for his comments, saying he wants to work constructively with the South African government.
