The government of South Africa has summoned the new United States ambassador, Brent Bozell, to explain comments he made about South Africa’s racial policies and court decisions.
Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said the envoy’s remarks were “undiplomatic.” The controversy began after Bozell criticized the chant “Kill the Boer, kill the farmer,” calling it hate speech, even though South African courts have ruled that the chant must be understood in the historical context of the struggle against Apartheid in South Africa, which ended in 1994.
Bozell also questioned policies such as Black Economic Empowerment, which aim to improve economic opportunities for Black South Africans after decades of racial discrimination.
Lamola rejected the ambassador’s criticism, saying the policy is not “reverse racism” but a necessary effort to correct inequalities created during apartheid. He emphasized that the policy is supported by the country’s constitution and will not be abandoned.
Relations between the two countries have recently been strained. Tensions increased after Donald Trump repeated claims that white Afrikaners are being persecuted in South Africa. Disagreements have also emerged over South Africa’s genocide case against Israel.
Lamola urged the ambassador to respect South Africa’s institutions and avoid statements that could deepen racial divisions in the country.
Source: TRT Africa
