Pretoria, South Africa — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday officially welcomed Brent Bozell as the new US ambassador, despite the ongoing tensions between the two nations. The ceremony took place at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in the capital, where Bozell, a former right-wing media critic and Trump supporter, presented his credentials.
Bozell, who arrived in his role in February, has faced criticism for his comments on South Africa’s racial policies and court decisions. However, he expressed optimism about his tenure, stating that he has “fallen in love with the country “in just two months.
The event also saw the presentation of credentials by 19 other envoys, including those from the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Haiti, and Cuba. Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of diplomats respecting their host country’s sovereignty and engaging in constructive dialogue.
South Africa and the United States have experienced a series of disputes, including disagreements over South Africa’s genocide case against Israel and President Trump’s claims about the persecution of white Afrikaners. The relationship has been further strained by diplomatic expulsions and resignations on both sides.
The current ambassadorial spat is not the first of its kind. Washington expelled South Africa’s ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, in March 2024, and a replacement has yet to be named. The previous US ambassador, Reuben Brigety, resigned in November 2024, just before Trump took office. Despite these challenges, South Africa remains the United States’largest trading partner on the African continent.
Source: Africanews
