Trump's envoy is already upsetting people.
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Veteran journalist Redi Tlhabi has called out the newly appointed US ambassador to South Africa, Brent Bozell, for threatening the country with economic sanctions.
RediTlhabi You must decide whether you are here to engage a sovereign state or to appeal to the lunatic fringe. Neither the South African government nor the major party in the GNU has a policy to “Kill the Boer.” That song is not sung at their official gatherings. Yet you have allowed yourself to be drawn into amplifying a fringe obsession that most South Africans — including the state — are not preoccupied with. More importantly, be careful when it comes to our courts. Constitutionalism is sacrosanct in South Africa. Even Nelson Mandela was taken to court as president. Our courts have ruled against governments, Parliament, and even sent a former president to prison. “I don’t care about your courts” may thrill a narrow audience, but it will not serve you well here. South Africa is a constitutional democracy. That should be the genesis of ALL your interactions with your host country.
mervynsmith17 With respect, it’s not fully accurate to say the courts ‘pronounced’ Kill the Boer isn’t hate speech. The ConCourt never sat or deliberated the merits. They simply dismissed AfriForum’s appeal on 27 March 2025 for ‘no reasonable prospects of success’, leaving the SCA ruling as binding precedent. Critics still argue this clashes with intl law (e.g., ICCPR Art 20 banning incitement to racial hatred/violence). Remember, apartheid laws were also ‘legal’ per the courts of the time. legality ≠ morality. Whether something is LEGAL or not, does not make IT RIGHT. You can sit there all you want and say “it’s not hate speech” but you cannot argue that the song does not foster unity, but only divides us further. We need honest debate on this, not hiding behind court findings. Thoughts?
MbalulaFikile We must make it clear to all whom we welcome in our beautiful country, including the new US ambassador. South Africa’s international relations policy will not be dictated by anyone else but South Africans and their government. Threats of investors pulling out such as Amazon, Google, VISA, and Microsoft are unfounded. These companies came to the G20 even though the Trump administration didn’t show up. US companies are confident in the South African economy, as seen by Walmart recently entering the South African market. South Africa is open for business and is a safe destination for global companies to do business. We reiterate that South Africa believes in a multipolar world which respects international law and international institutions that support a system of multilateralism.
StHonorable The truth is, our international policy is never determined by the people of South Africa but by a party that is leading government. In this case, your party’s international policy is the one that is in effect. Since you’re leading with other parties, it’s not supposed to be like that. Iran is funding the ANC, not South Africa. Therefore, be clear when you’re talking about your friends, not our friends. Terrorists are terrorists. Finish.
AngusDouglas14 He wasn’t trying to dictate to you, just giving you constructive advice. If you cannot take it, then this country will become Zimbabwe, and then where will the Zimbabwean refugees go for work?
KhandaniM But a foreign policy that is not driven by economic fundamentals is not serving the country. Foreign affairs must serve the interests of the country, and I see zero benefit for us in our current posture.
Diwewem That is a different matter altogether. The issue on the table is that foreign policy cannot be determined by another country. We as South Africans can engage on the effectiveness of the current policy, not the US.
FloorTheoryZA Must we twerk for the USA, Mr Msibi? Are they the ones who are supposed to handpick our allies? Must we scrap BBBEE because they said so?
phakxx We do not care about your personal views. Clearly, you are not qualified to be an ambassador because this is a basic principle of diplomacy. Diplomats are taught to keep their opinions to themselves.
BonganiSiqoko But, in your tweet thanking Alec for hosting you, you said: “I stand by my words.” What has changed?
luphumlongcayis Your naïveté is appalling. It is apparent you are still wet behind your ears on matters of diplomacy. You may serve a lunatic of a president with no table manners, but here we have manners. You are a guest in this country. And this sovereign entity that is South Africa is a constitutional democracy that will not be bullied by you lunatics.
kaysexwale Your personal opinions must be discussed with your wife. South Africans are not interested in your warped views. We warned you to behave, now this.
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