NATIONAL NEWS -President Cyril Ramaphosa met with the United States Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, on Thursday, 27 August, to discuss strengthening and recalibrating relations between Pretoria and Washington.
The meeting took place at Mahlamba Ndlopfu, Ramaphosa's official residence in Tshwane.
“The engagement provides an opportunity to strengthen and recalibrate South Africa-United States relations and reaffirm both countries’ commitment to constructive engagement on matters of mutual interest,” the Presidency said.
Bozell's first meeting with Ramaphosa
Bozell first met Ramaphosa in April during a credentials ceremony at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.
He was nominated by US President Donald Trump in March 2025 to succeed Reuben Brigety as Washington's top envoy in Pretoria.
The ambassador has since attracted attention in South Africa's political circles over comments on the country's domestic and foreign policies.
Ambassador criticised South Africa's policies
During a business conference in Hermanus, Western Cape, in March, Bozell criticised aspects of South Africa's policy direction, saying Pretoria's domestic and foreign policies influence perceptions among investors and the wider international community.
He was subsequently issued a démarche over remarks concerning South Africa's policies.
Bozell also described the ‘Kill the Boer’ chant as hate speech and said he did not agree with the Constitutional Court's position on the matter.
Tensions between South Africa and US
Relations between South Africa and the US have deteriorated in recent years.
The tensions escalated after Trump signed an executive order suspending US aid to South Africa and announcing a refugee programme for Afrikaners.
South Africa has also been without an ambassador in Washington since the Trump administration expelled Ebrahim Rasool in March 2025, declaring him persona non grata and giving him a week to leave the US over comments he made about the administration.
The Trump administration has repeatedly accused South Africa of what it has described as a “white genocide” against Afrikaners. The South African government has strongly rejected the claims.
The diplomatic rift was further highlighted by the limited US participation in G20 activities hosted by South Africa in 2025.
The latest meeting between Ramaphosa and Bozell comes as both countries seek to navigate these tensions and identify areas of mutual interest.
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