US President Donald Trump’s pick for ambassador to South Africa, conservative activist and writer Leo Brent Bozell III, has arrived in the country to officially take up his post amid simmering tensions between the two countries.
Bozell III was formally sworn in as the US ambassador-designate to South Africa in January 2026.
The US Embassy in South Africa confirmed to The Citizen that Bozell III is in the country.
“Mr Bozell arrived in South Africa to take up his post as ambassador,” confirmed the embassy on Tuesday.
Credentials
He was nominated by Trump in March 2025 to succeed Reuben Brigety as Washington’s top envoy in Pretoria.
Bozell III is expected to present his credentials to President Cyril Ramaphosa before officially taking up his post.
ALSO READ: Trump nominated Bozell III ‘to keep an eye on SA’
Dirco
The new ambassador’s arrival takes place against the backdrop of strained relations between the US and South Africa, tensions that have persisted since Trump returned to office in January.
Department of International Relations (Dirco) spokesperson Chrispin Phiri did not want to be drawn into questions about the arrival of Bozell III.
“Kindly note that it is not the practice of Dirco to issue statements on arrival and departures ambassadors.”
Relations
The deterioration of relations between the two countries began when Trump signed an executive order suspending US aid to South Africa and announced a refugee programme targeting Afrikaners.
South Africa has not had an ambassador in Washington since the Trump administration expelled its last one, Ebrahim Rasool, declaring him persona non grata and giving him just a week to leave the US due to his comments about the Trump administration.
Keeping an eye on SA
In October last year, Bozell III told the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee he will communicate America’s objections to South Africa’s “geostrategic drift from non-alignment” towards US competitors, including Russia, China, and Iran.
“I come before you at a challenging moment for US-South Africa relations. The President has expressed serious concerns about South Africa that have, for too long, gone unaddressed.
“When people and businesses in South Africa believe their private property risk rights are at risk, when many South Africans feel unsafe in their homes, when rampant corruption and unfair business practices hold back the South African economy, and when South African politicians greet as friends those who seek to destabilize the world’s peace and security, then common ground between our two countries feels harder to find,” Bozell III said.
ALSO READ: US envoy Bozell may not be welcome in South Africa
Afrikaners
Bozel III said he will also advance Trump’s invitation to Afrikaners who wish to flee what he called “unjust racial discrimination” in South Africa.
“I will explore how we can support the South African government in making sure all South Africans can thrive free from the threat of violence. I will support the president’s call for the South African government to rescind its support for the expropriation of private property without compensation.”
Respect
The new ambassador said he will advocate for business interests by promoting fair trade practices and reducing barriers that will level the playing field for US companies and empower South Africa as an engine of economic growth, creating a more prosperous future for both our countries.
Bozell III said he will approach his role “with respect for the South African people”.
ALSO READ: Leo Brent Bozell III sworn in as US ambassador-designate to SA: Here are his goals
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