The newly appointed United States Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, has faced criticism after delivering remarks that condemned a court ruling declaring that an anti-apartheid struggle song does not constitute hate speech.
Bozell, who has been in office for about a month, expressed disagreement with a decision regarding the song “Kill the Boer.” Some critics argue that the song encourages hate speech, while South Africa’s Constitutional Court recently ruled that it does not violate the law.
Speaking at an economic conference in Hermanus on March 10, Bozell said he did not agree with the court’s ruling, suggesting that the decision reflected poor judgment by South Africa’s judicial authorities.
According to the BBC, the South African government later called on citizens to protest Bozell’s remarks.
However, the diplomat issued clarifications on March 11, 2026. An official from South Africa’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Bozell had expressed regret over the controversy.
Relations between the United States and South Africa have been strained since Donald Trump returned to power in January 2025. Trump has repeatedly accused South Africa of targeting white farmers by seizing their land and killing them, allegations that the South African government strongly denies.
The tensions have already affected diplomatic cooperation. The United States declined to attend the G20 Summit held at the end of 2025, and Trump has also stated that he does not plan to invite South Africa to the next summit scheduled for 2026.
