The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has confirmed that United States Ambassador to South Africa Brent Bozell has apologized and expressed regret over comments that were deemed undiplomatic following a meeting with government officials.
Speaking during a media briefing in Pretoria on Wednesday evening, DIRCO director-general Zane Dangar said officials met with the ambassador to discuss the comments which had raised concerns.
Dangor said the envoy regretted that his comments gave the impression that he was not committed to working constructively with the South African government.
“He apologized and expressed regret, including comments that undermined the judiciary,” Dangor said.
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The United States mission also issued a public apology on social media.
Dangor said that during the meeting the ambassador confirmed that South Africa's history requires redress policies and acknowledged the role of measures aimed at addressing historical inequality.
The Ambassador recently visited historical sites such as the Apartheid Museum and the District Six Museum, where he reflected on the country's past.
Dangar also clarified that there has been no formal communication from Washington regarding the so-called “five demands” for negotiations between the two countries following the unilateral tariffs imposed by the United States.
He further said that there has been no formal request for South Africa to withdraw from the BRICS bloc, although the grouping is sometimes viewed with concern in some sections of the US administration.
Lamola reiterates importance of US-SA relations
Speaking during the briefing, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola said the government welcomes active public diplomacy, but stressed that engagement must remain in line with diplomatic etiquette and international protocol.
“While South Africa welcomes active public diplomacy and the strengthening of bilateral relations, such interactions must remain in line with established diplomatic etiquette and international protocols,” Lamola said.
He reiterated that the United States remains a major strategic partner for South Africa.
Nearly 500 US companies currently operate in South Africa, employ more than 250,000 people and comply with local law, including transition policies.
Bilateral trade between the two countries amounts to approximately $15 billion, while South African companies also maintain significant investments in the United States, particularly in the energy and chemicals sectors.
Lamola stressed that policies such as broad-based black economic empowerment are necessary to address the structural inequalities resulting from apartheid.
He said, “B-BBEE is not reverse racism. It is a fundamental tool designed to address the structural imbalances of South Africa's unique history.”
SA maintains non-aligned foreign policy stance
Lamola reiterated that South Africa's foreign policy is based on constitutional principles, multilateralism and peaceful resolution of disputes.
He said the country's non-aligned stance allows it to engage with all international partners on the basis of international law rather than associating with any geopolitical faction.
“As a sovereign state and an important middle power, South Africa is steadfast in its resistance to involvement in great-power rivalry. South Africa's non-alignment does not include preference for any geopolitical bloc.
“Rather, it represents our ability to engage all international partners and take positions on a case-by-case basis guided by international law.
“We maintain our resistance to engaging in great-power rivalry, preferring instead a fair and inclusive global governance system,” Lamola said. -SAnews.gov.za