Ambassador Leo Bozell III Denies Saying Former President Thabo Mbeki Can Help Fix SA-US Ties
- US Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III pushed back against reports that he had backed Thabo Mbeki as a mediator between Washington and Pretoria
- Bozell took to social media to clarify his remarks after an interview sparked what he says is a misunderstanding
- The clarification comes as tensions between South Africa and the United States remain high over visa restrictions and stalled diplomacy
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SOUTH AFRICA - US Ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III has denied calling on former president Thabo Mbeki to intervene or mediate the strained relationship between Washington and Pretoria.
Bozell made the clarification after reports about his recent interview suggested that he had backed Mbeki as someone who could help break the diplomatic deadlock between the two countries.
Bozell sets the record straight
Taking to the US ambassador to South Africa’s X account, Bozell said he had the “greatest respect” for Mbeki but insisted that he had not asked the former president to intervene.
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"This clip from my recent interview with Business Day shows, I did not call for him to intervene or mediate our bilateral relationship,” Bozell said.
In the interview, Bozell described Mbeki as an experienced statesman with a strong understanding of international diplomacy.
When asked whether Mbeki could be appointed as a special envoy to help resolve the tensions, Bozell appeared to dismiss the idea, saying that if Mbeki’s involvement was the solution, the matter would already have been resolved.
Mbeki praised for diplomatic experience
The clarification follows reports that Bozell had described Mbeki as the “best person” to break the impasse between South Africa and the US.
The comments came as tensions between Washington and Pretoria remain high, with the US introducing selective visa restrictions against certain South Africans and Bozell saying Washington had “run out of patience” with the current approach to the relationship.
South African officials, however, have rejected the suggestion that diplomatic engagement has failed, saying Pretoria has made concessions and remains committed to engaging Washington.
Ambassador calls on President Ramaphosa to denounce 'Kill the boer'
Briefly News also reported that Leo Brent Bozell III has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to publicly denounce the "Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer" chant. Bozell made the remarks during an exclusive sit-down interview on Monday, 21 September 2026, warning that the president's silence on the matter represents a serious diplomatic problem. Bozell acknowledged that South Africa's highest court had ruled the song was not unconstitutional, describing it as a recollection of history. However, he argued that a court ruling does not prevent the president from taking a moral stance.
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Source: Briefly News
