The diplomatic temperature between South Africa and the United States has risen again, this time with a public war of words between International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola and US ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III, Cape {town} Etc reports.
At the centre of the latest spat is a remark from Lamola telling Bozell to ‘get out of the kitchen’ if he is no longer willing to engage in diplomatic dialogue, as reported by The Sunday Times.
The exchange comes days after the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) issued Bozell with his third démarche since taking up his post, citing what it described as ‘undiplomatic conduct’ Parliament has also raised concerns over the repeated diplomatic protests.
US Ambassador Brent Bozell speaks on the three démarches by the South African government. https://t.co/86abJQNzgw
— Ofentse Donald Davhie (@DonaldDavhie) October 4, 2026
Speaking to the publication, Lamola said he was taken aback by Bozell’s suggestion that the ‘time for talking was over.’
For Lamola, dialogue is at the heart of a diplomat’s role.
‘If you can’t talk as a diplomat and you cannot dialogue … get out of the kitchen,’ he said.
The minister also accused the US ambassador of becoming involved in South Africa’s domestic politics, arguing that diplomats should respect the affairs of their host country.
Bozell, however, hit back on X, accusing Lamola of personally insulting him and arguing that his criticism of the minister’s remarks could itself lead to another diplomatic protest.
So here we go again. Another Minister Lamola personal insult aimed at an American leader (this time me) which, when denounced (which I’m doing now), will result in a demarche with a lecture about being “undiplomatic.” And then the South African government wonders why relations are collapsing.
— U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa (@USAmbRSA) October 4, 2026
The exchange illustrates just how publicly strained the relationship between Pretoria and Washington has become.
The latest clash is not happening in isolation.
Relations between South Africa and the US have deteriorated over several issues, including land reform, race-related policies, foreign policy and allegations concerning violence against white South Africans.
The Trump administration has previously accused South Africa of discriminatory policies and announced measures including the suspension of aid and support for the resettlement of Afrikaners in the US. Those positions were formally outlined in a February 2025 executive order.
South Africa has rejected the characterisation of its policies as persecution and has maintained that its domestic laws must be understood within the country’s history of apartheid and efforts to address longstanding inequality.
The dispute has since moved beyond policy disagreements, with public statements from officials on both sides adding another layer to an already difficult diplomatic relationship.
The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation said on Friday that it was concerned by DIRCO’s confirmation of the latest démarche.
According to Parliament, Bozell was summoned on 30 September, and the latest protest marks the third formal diplomatic protest since his accreditation in April 2026.
The committee said disagreements between the two countries should be handled through established diplomatic channels rather than public commentary.
It also pointed to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which requires diplomats to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state and not interfere in its internal affairs.
At the same time, Parliament acknowledged the importance of the US as a trade, investment and historical partner to South Africa.
That makes the current tensions more than just a political back-and-forth. The relationship has practical consequences for trade, investment, diplomacy and cooperation between two countries with longstanding ties.
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SA’s foreign policy takes centre stage as Lamola engages US audience
Picture: US Embassy / Facebook | Frennie Shivambu / Gallo Images
