Leo Bozell Accuses Ronald Lamola of Insulting Him With a ‘Get Out of the Kitchen’ Remark, SA Divided
- US Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III publicly accused International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola of insulting him
- Lamola expressed unhappiness with some of Bozell's previous comments about the time for talking being over
- South Africans took to social media to weigh in on Bozell's claim about Lamola insulting him, sharing mixed reactions to it
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
GAUTENG — Leo Brent Bozell III has publicly accused International Relations and Co-operation Minister Ronald Lamola of directing a personal insult at him.
The United States Ambassador to South Africa took to X on 4 October 2026 to make the claim, warning that such conduct is contributing to deteriorating relations between the two countries.
Bozell III said that his speaking out about the insult would result in another demarche. A demarche is the strongest formal diplomatic protest a government can lodge against a foreign diplomat, short of declaring them persona non grata.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
The South African government issued a formal demarche against Bozell, the third such measure taken since his arrival in February 2026. The US State Department has since issued a pointed response after DIRCO, demanding clarity over the summons.
What did Lamola say about Bozell?
Speaking to the Sunday Times at OR Tambo International Airport before departing for an African leaders' gathering in Egypt, Lamola criticised Bozell for what he described as interference in South Africa's domestic affairs.
Lamola said he was "taken aback" by an earlier remark from Bozell that "the time for talking was over," arguing that dialogue is the very foundation of a diplomat's role.
"I was taken aback. You can't have a diplomat who says time for talking is over. It's our job to talk. So if you can't talk as a diplomat and you cannot dialogue ... get out of the kitchen," Lamola said.
How did South Africans react?
South Africans on social media were divided in their response to the public exchange.
@kwazi78928300 said:
"Get out of the kitchen if you don't talk anymore, simple. If you can't be a diplomat in a diplomatic post, leave."
@John_Mphatsoe wrote:
"Stop being divisive. South Africa is not an enclave of the USA. We are equals, and you must respect that."
@SimoNzama_ said:
"Even now, you're undiplomatic; write to him instead of being divisive by running to public platforms and defaming him. You're so incompetent with your entrusted diplomatic responsibility. I think the US must consider educating you about diplomacy. I think you just hate South Africa."
@Covfefe365 commented:
"This is what we have been dealing with for the past 30 years, welcome to the club, Ambassador."
@Ravi3i1 added:
"I don't always agree with Lamola, but SA is a sovereign state, and you should know that. You are undiplomatic."
@whiteriot321 urged:
"Please apply personal sanctions and whatever pressure you can on the corrupt in the ANC. You know who they are. South Africans want to see justice done to these untouchable criminals who are never jailed for their crimes."
Bozell III calls on Cyril Ramaphosa to act
Briefly News highlighted facts about Bozell’s call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to publicly condemn the “Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer” chant.
Bozell said Washington had made five formal diplomatic demands of Pretoria, with two considered to have been dealt with or set aside.
The ambassador argued that a court ruling on the chant did not prevent Ramaphosa from taking a moral stance on the matter.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay informed and follow us on Google News!
Source: Briefly News
