By Akani Nkuna
The EFF has condemned newly appointed United States Ambassador Brent Bozell III over his criticism of South African policies, including Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE), which he said was discouraging investors and adding to US concerns about the country’s policy direction.
In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said the US “regime” had no moral authority to dictate South Africa’s domestic and international policy choices or whom it aligned with.
He also rejected any suggestion that private investment could be used to pressure Pretoria, saying investors operating in South Africa were required to respect the country’s sovereignty and its laws.
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“The EFF therefore takes this opportunity to inform Bozell that the US has no say in what constitutes South Africa domestic and foreign policy agenda, and his displeasure along with that of his President is worthless. In our view, Bozell’s comments warrant expulsion as an Ambassador to South Africa, as he has expressed contempt for our country, the President of South Africa, the legislature and our judiciary,” said Thambo.
“Bozell would be best placed explaining why the US bombed an elementary school, killing 168 children in Iran. The ambassador would be best placed explaining why the USA continues its alignment with Apartheid-Israel including funding its genocide of the Palestinian people.”
The EFF statement followed remarks Bozell made at the BizNews investor conference in Hermanus, Western Cape, this week in his first major public address since arriving in Pretoria.
At the conference, he said Washington’s concerns about South Africa included its ties to Iran, its approach to B-BBEE and expropriation, and its response to the “Kill the Boer” chant.
Bozell said South Africa’s posture towards the United States was reflected in actions such as sending condolences after the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which he said was “not a good sign”.
Bozell also said that South Africa stood to benefit from deeper economic cooperation with the United States as it tackled infrastructure, energy and development challenges.
He pointed to major American corporate investments by Visa, Google, Microsoft and Amazon as proof of Washington’s long-term commercial commitment to South Africa.
He said South Africa had significant potential to become a stronger player in the global economy, but that some of its policy choices were making investors uneasy.
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“If policies create uncertainty around property rights or impose regulatory burdens that discourage expansion, the result is not empowerment, it is stagnation, and stagnation ultimately harms the very communities these reforms are meant to uplift. Inclusive growth requires both opportunity and investment confidence,” Bozell said.
Also responding to Bozell’s comments, African National Congress Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said on X that South Africa’s international relations policy would not be dictated by external forces, adding that the country “believes in a multipolar world” that respects international law and multilateral institutions.
Mbalula also rejected suggestions that US companies could pull out of South Africa, saying fears of an exodus of American investment were misplaced.
He said that corporations continued to show confidence in the local economy despite tensions between Pretoria and the Trump administration.
“Threats of investors pulling out such as Amazon, Google, VISA and Microsoft are unfounded. These companies came to the G20 even though the Trump administration didn’t show up. US companies are confident in the South African economy as seen by Walmart recently entering the South African market. South Africa is open for business and is a safe destination for global companies to do business,” he said.
