Brent Bozell presents his credentials to Dirco’s Clayson Monyela. (Photo: GCIS)
Leo Brent Bozell can now officially take up his duties as ambassador at the American Embassy in Pretoria.
On Monday, Bozell presented copies of his credentials to Clayson Monyela, deputy director-general of public diplomacy in the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco). Monyela received these copies in his capacity as South Africa’s head of state protocol.
“Procedurally, new ambassadors hand over copies to the head of state protocol. The originals will be handed over to the president,” Monyela confirmed to Maroela Media when asked on Monday afternoon.
The presentation of credentials is considered an important diplomatic ritual.
“Today’s event means that he can officially begin his duties,” Monyela confirmed.
The US Embassy in Pretoria was without an ambassador for almost a year after Reuben Brigety resigned as ambassador and the interim ambassador, Dana Brown, did the same only two months later.
Bozell, a well-known conservative writer, thinker and activist from the American state of Virginia, was inaugurated in the USA last month as the new American ambassador to South Africa.
Brent Bozell presents his credentials to Dirco’s Clayson Monyela. (Photo: GCIS)
However, he was already nominated as ambassador in March last year amid worsening diplomatic relations between Pretoria and Washington. At that stage, he was described as an extremely experienced political player in Washington, DC.
“He has good contacts in the Trump administration and is therefore a strong political appointment as ambassador,” Jaco Kleynhans, head of international liaison for the Solidarity Movement, said at the time.
Kleynhans then said that Bozell is an excellent appointment as US ambassador to South Africa due to his direct access to Trump and numerous senior members of the Trump administration.
“He is regarded with great credibility in Washington and will be able to act with authority as ambassador in South Africa.”