The United States’ newly appointed ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, avoided directly responding to questions about claims of “white genocide” during his first official meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria on Wednesday.
Bozell met Ramaphosa during a formal credentials ceremony at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse, where several newly appointed heads of mission presented their letters of credence.
The meeting marks an important diplomatic step amid strained relations between Washington and Pretoria.
When questioned by journalists about previous claims made by US President Donald Trump regarding alleged “white genocide” in South Africa, Bozell declined to engage directly.
“There have been lots of issues, but today I’m not going to talk about them,” he said.
Instead, the ambassador said the focus should be on rebuilding relations and seeking practical solutions.
Investment and property rights remain central concerns
Bozell said the United States remains interested in expanding economic ties with South Africa.
He stated that billions of dollars in potential investment could flow into the country from both government-backed and private-sector sources.
However, he noted that concerns remain around the protection of private property and the business environment.
According to Bozell, major international companies may hesitate to invest if ownership requirements are viewed as restrictive.
His comments appear to reference ongoing debates around equity requirements and empowerment-related ownership structures.
At the same time, Bozell acknowledged South Africa’s historical context and said foreign companies have a moral responsibility to contribute to long-term national development.
He said investment should not be limited to financial capital but should also support the country’s future growth and social development.
Diplomatic tensions and shared values
The ambassador also addressed the issue of sovereignty, saying South Africa is entitled to pursue its own policies.
However, he added that the United States would continue to speak out where policy decisions conflict with American national interests or security priorities.
This comes after recent diplomatic tensions between the two countries, including controversy surrounding Bozell’s previous criticism of the “Kill the Boer” chant and South Africa’s judicial rulings on the matter.
Bozell reiterated that he believes the phrase is wrong and divisive.
Despite these tensions, he emphasised that the two countries continue to share important constitutional values and strategic interests.
Observers say Wednesday’s ceremony may indicate a cautious effort by both sides to stabilise relations following months of diplomatic friction.
South Africa and the United States remain key trade partners, with significant cooperation across investment, diplomacy and regional security.
Whether this diplomatic engagement leads to a broader thaw remains to be seen.
Source: The Citizen / Bloomberg / Presidency / News24
