Brent Bozell, the US ambassador to South Africa, and Gayton McKenzie, leader of the PA. (Photo: Gayton McKenzie/X)
Gayton McKenzie, leader of the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and minister of sports, arts and culture, described the USA’s new ambassador to South Africa as an “honest man with the ear of President (Donald) Trump”.
McKenzie shared a photo of his meeting with Brent Bozell at the ambassador’s residence on social media on Friday.
According to the PA, Bozell left the meeting “encouraged and optimistic about the future of relations between South Africa and the US. For some time the relationship between our countries has been under pressure and (characterized by) misunderstandings.”
“With the arrival of Ambassador Bozell, a man of distinction, experience and the ear of President Donald J Trump, South Africa has a real opportunity to restore and strengthen this important relationship. The PA believes South Africa must seize this moment.”
Trump has repeatedly expressed his concern about allegations of violence against white South Africans and allegations of a so-called “white genocide”.
“However, the PA believes the way forward is not denial or anger, but honest dialogue and clarity. We know South Africa is not a country of genocide.”
The party says South Africa has a bitter and divided past, but has built a constitutional democracy on dignity, equality and the protection of life. “It is also true that violent crime, including farm attacks and attacks in rural areas, causes deep fear and trauma.”
The same applies to violence in mainly colored areas that are plagued by gang violence – but it is not called genocide.
Met US Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III today. An honest man with the ear of President Trump. We discussed a lot. Here is a golden moment to reset US relations & show him the real SA – a country of good people, not genocide. I’m confident he’ll share the truth with POTUS. ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/JaT8rBdc2s
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) March 13, 2026
Controversy over ‘Kill the Boer’
Referring to the uproar over Bozell’s comments about the controversial “Kill the Boer” chant, the PA said it was “ridiculous and we stand by the ambassador”.
Maroela Media reported earlier that the South African government summoned Bozell to give an explanation of statements he made during a speech and were labeled as “undiplomatic comments” about South Africa’s policy and courts.
During his speech at the online website BizNews’ conference in Hermanus, the American ambassador said about a court ruling regarding the “Kill the Boer” song, “I don’t care what your court says. This is hate speech”.
Brent Bozell in conversation during BizNews’ conference in Hermanus. (Photo: Tania Heyns/Maroela Media)
It was Bozell’s reference to South Africa’s legal system that led to the diplomatic dispute. The Department of International Relations said at that stage that although South Africa values active public diplomacy and ties with the US, this must still be done within the framework of established diplomatic etiquette and international protocol – and that is why Bozell was summoned.
In response, the PA said that people in any democracy are justice in their own opinion and in this case “numerous right-thinking South Africans share the view”.
“The PA president himself continuously says that a chant that calls for the killing of a specifically named group, be it farmers, Boers or any other community, is completely unacceptable. It is hate speech, as simple as that.”
Songs like “Kill the Boer” belong in the history books; any politician who says or defends it also belongs in the dustbin of the past, says the party.
“Maintaining the view does not make you a constitutional apostate nor does it mean you do not respect the judiciary. In any free society, people are allowed to disagree with court rulings. Courts, like any other human institution, can make mistakes.”
The PA says South Africa is not a dictatorship and the Constitution protects freedom of expression.
“It will benefit us if we also show this courtesy to our diplomatic guests.”
McKenzie friend from USA
Bozell also referred to the meeting on social media and described McKenzie as a “great friend” of the USA.
“We discussed the importance of the relationship between the US and South Africa and ways to strengthen our partnership.”
A pleasure to spend time with Patriotic Alliance President @GaytonMcKa great friend of the United States. We discussed the importance of the U.S.–South Africa relationship and ways to strengthen our partnership. pic.twitter.com/KSwXvsWYMh
— U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa (@USAmbRSA) March 13, 2026
Last week, after Dirco reprimanded him, Bozell said on social media that he maintains the personal view, like many South Africans, that “Kill the Boer” amounts to hate speech, but that the American government “respects the independence and findings of the South African legal system”.
Also read Brent Bozell’s full speech at the BizNews conference here.