South Africa has summoned the newly appointed United States ambassador, Brent Bozell, over what it described as 'undiplomatic remarks' concerning the country’s racial policies and court rulings. The move comes amid already strained relations between the two nations, linked to disagreements over South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and past claims by President Donald Trump alleging persecution of white Afrikaners.

In his first public address since taking office, Bozell described the apartheid-era slogan 'Kill the Boer, kill the farmer' as hate speech and criticised South Africa’s black economic empowerment policies, arguing they had contributed to economic stagnation. South African courts have previously ruled that the slogan must be understood within the historical context of the liberation struggle and does not constitute hate speech.

Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola rejected the ambassador’s comments, reaffirming that black economic empowerment is a constitutional measure aimed at correcting historical injustices, not a form of reverse racism. Bozell later clarified that while he personally views the slogan as hate speech, the United States government respects the independence and decisions of South Africa’s judiciary.