New US Ambassador to South Africa formally takes office
U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III formally presented his credentials to President Cyril Ramaphosa, saying he hoped to deepen ties between the two countries during his posting.
Speaking at the ceremony, Bozell said he brought greetings from U.S. President Donald Trump and described it as “a great honour and a privilege” to serve in South Africa. He said he had already grown fond of the country after two months in post.
"I bring you my letter of credence as well as my letter of recall from my predecessor. Mr. President, before I arrived here, I cannot tell you how many people told me that, in short order, I'd fall in love with the country. It's only taken two months, and I can confirm that that has happened," he said.
Bozell said the United States and South Africa shared important values and interests, and pledged to build on mutual respect and cooperation. He also praised South Africa’s Constitution, telling Ramaphosa he hoped to take bilateral relations “to places they’ve never been before.”
"We are two nations with great shared values and interests. Perhaps not enough people understand this, but you, Excellency, were the primary author of your Constitution. You do understand that," he added.
South Africa has in the past month called in the new US ambassador, Leo Brent Bozell III, less than a month after he arrived in the country, after comments he made about the struggle song “Kill the Boer” sparked a diplomatic backlash.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
