South Africa's government issued a formal diplomatic reprimand to US Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III on March 11, 2026, after he publicly dismissed a Constitutional Court ruling during a speech the previous day, insisting the anti-apartheid-era 'Kill the Boer' chant constituted hate speech. Bozell later expressed regrets and affirmed US respect for South Africa's judiciary amid strained bilateral relations.
US Ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III, nominated by President Donald Trump in March 2025, delivered his first public speech at a BizNews business conference in Hermanus, Western Cape, on March 10, 2026. Acknowledging South Africa's history, he referenced visits to the Apartheid Museum and District Six Museum, and travels to Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, and Hermanus. He praised US investments by companies like Visa, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon for bringing capital, technology, and jobs, while raising concerns over the business environment, rural safety, the Expropriation Act, and engagements with US adversaries.
Bozell critiqued policies like Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE), noting they can impose compliance burdens or face corruption allegations when poorly structured. He proposed improvements: protecting rural communities from violence; condemning hate-inciting rhetoric; ensuring fair compensation in expropriations; boosting digital and minerals cooperation; and ending forced ownership transfers.
In the Q&A, Bozell addressed the 'Kill the Boer, kill the farmer' chant—upheld by the Constitutional Court in March 2025 as not hate speech in an AfriForum appeal—stating: “We may not get clarity on the Kill the Boer chant that we believe is hate speech. I am sorry, I don’t care what your courts say, it’s hate speech.”
The remarks prompted a démarche on March 11, with Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola and Director-General Zane Dangor summoning Bozell. Lamola stressed diplomatic etiquette, welcoming public diplomacy but expecting protocol adherence. Bozell apologized, expressing regrets for undermining relations. On X, he clarified: “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.” Dangor noted Bozell's reaffirmation of support for addressing historical injustices.
The incident highlights deteriorating US-South Africa ties since Trump's 2025 return, including 'white genocide' claims, tariffs, G20 boycott, Afrikaner refugee program, and expulsion of South Africa's US ambassador. Bozell had warned of Trump's 'five demands' on issues like the Expropriation Act, B-BBEE, farm murders, BRICS, and the ICJ Israel case—though Dangor downplayed them as trade discussion points. Lamola defended B-BBEE against 'reverse racism' charges and South Africa's non-aligned policy, emphasizing $15 billion bilateral trade.
Commentators noted ambassadors typically avoid controversy in debut speeches to build rapport. Broadcaster Redi Tlhabi advised respecting local sensitivities. This is the second such US envoy summons, after Reuben Brigety's in 2023 over Russia arms claims.
