Brent Bozell III, Donald Trump’s pick for US ambassador to South Africa, has pledged to support Afrikaners who want to leave the country due to what he described as “unjust racial discrimination.”
He also said he would push the government to withdraw its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Bozell made the remarks during his confirmation hearing before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week.
If approved as SA ambassador, he would become Washington’s top diplomat in Pretoria at a time of already strained relations between the two countries.
“I will support the president’s call for the South African government to rescind its support for the expropriation of private property without compensation,” Bozell said.
“And I will advance the president’s invitation to Afrikaners who wish to flee unjust racial discrimination.”
He added that he would look for ways to help ensure “all South Africans can thrive free from the threat of violence”.
Bozell’s comments are likely to clash with Pretoria’s official position. While South Africa has debated land expropriation to address apartheid-era dispossession, no laws have been passed allowing the wholesale seizure of land without compensation.
Analysts and police data also do not support claims that white South Africans, including farmers, are being systemically targeted due to their race.
The South African government continues to oppose the Afrikaner-refugee programme, calling the claims of racial persecution unsubstantiated.
In a statement earlier this year, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said: “This narrative plays into dangerous stereotypes and undermines the real challenges faced by disadvantaged communities in South Africa.”
Bozell takes aim at South Africa’s stance on Israel
Bozell also signalled a tough approach to South Africa’s foreign policy – particularly its genocide case against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“I’ll press South Africa to end proceedings against Israel at the ICJ,” he said. He also vowed to urge Pretoria to push the International Criminal Court to halt what he called “lawfare”, claiming Israel had shown commitment to ceasefire efforts and international law.
South Africa brought the ICJ case in 2023, accusing Israel of breaching the Genocide Convention in Gaza – a move widely supported domestically but criticised by the US and Israel.
Diplomatic tension ahead
Bozell, a conservative media activist and vocal supporter of Israel, was nominated in March following Washington’s expulsion of South Africa’s former ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool.
His remarks are expected to deepen debate over sovereignty, land reform, and South Africa’s alignment on global issues.
