The deterioration of relations between South Africa and the US escalated after US President Donald Trump's second term.
President Cyril Ramaphosa held a meeting with the United States Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III. Picture: GCIS.
President Cyril Ramaphosa held a meeting with the United States Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, to strengthen and recalibrate bilateral relations between Pretoria and Washington.
The meeting took place at Mahlamba Ndlopfu, Ramaphosa’s official residence in Tshwane on Thursday, 27 August 2026.
‘Recalibration’
“The engagement provides an opportunity to strengthen and recalibrate South Africa-United States relations and reaffirm both countries’ commitment to constructive engagement on matters of mutual interest,” the Presidency said.
Bozell met Ramaphosa for the first time in April during the credentials ceremony held at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.
Bozell nomination
Bozell was nominated by US President Donald Trump in March 2025 to succeed Reuben Brigety as Washington’s top envoy in Pretoria,
The ambassador began ruffling feathers in South Africa’s political establishment soon after arriving in the country.
Criticising SA
During a keynote address at a business conference in Hermanus, Western Cape, in March, Bozell criticised South Africa’s current policy trajectories, noting that Pretoria’s domestic and foreign policies shape perceptions among investors and the broader international community.
Bozell was also issued a démarche order over remarks on South Africa’s current policy trajectories.
He made special mention of the ‘Kill the Boer’ chant, declaring it hate speech, and saying he “didn’t care” about the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the matter.
US-SA relationship
The deterioration of relations between South Africa and the US escalated after Trump signed an executive order suspending US aid to South Africa and announcing a refugee programme for Afrikaners.
South Africa has not had an ambassador in Washington since the Trump administration expelled Ebrahim Rasool in March 2025, declaring him persona non grata and giving him just a week to leave the US over his comments about the administration.
The Trump administration has also repeatedly accused South Africa of conducting what it has termed a “white genocide” against Afrikaners – claims strongly rejected by the South African government.
Further signalling the diplomatic rift, the US largely abstained from participating in G20 activities hosted by South Africa last year.
