US President Donald Trump has nominated Brent Bozell III, a conservative media figure and outspoken supporter of Israel, as the next US ambassador to South Africa. Given the already rocky relationship between Pretoria and Washington, this move is likely to stir things up even more drama. With tensions already running high over trade, diplomacy, and policy disagreements, including South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, Bozell’s appointment might not be the olive branch some were hoping for.

Bozell’s nomination was made public on the US Congress’s website on Tuesday. If the Senate gives him the green light, he’ll take over from Reuben Brigety, who stepped down in January. His appointment follows the sudden resignation of Dana Brown, the United States’ Chargé d’Affaires in South Africa, leaving a diplomatic void that isn’t making things any easier.

US-South Africa relations haven’t exactly been smooth sailing under Trump’s administration. From disputes over foreign policy to aid clashes, the two nations have butted heads on multiple fronts. Now, with Bozell’s well-documented support for Israel, there is a worry that his tenure might add fuel to the fire rather than help cool things down.

Bozell’s strong views and what they mean for SA

Bozell isn’t just another political appointee. He’s a conservative heavyweight who founded the Media Research Center, an organisation dedicated to calling out what it sees as liberal bias in US media. His social media presence proudly features both US and Israeli flags, leaving little doubt about where he stands.

With Pretoria and Washington already clashing on global issues, particularly in the Middle East, Bozell’s appointment and his strong ideological stance could shape how the US engages with South Africa, making negotiations on key issues more complicated. 

Long-standing tensions: land, aid, and political fallout

Bozell’s nomination comes against the backdrop of a US-South Africa relationship that has been under strain for a while. The Trump administration has taken issue with South Africa’s domestic policies, particularly the Land Expropriation Act. Trump has repeatedly (and falsely) claimed that white farmers are being targeted, which hasn’t helped matters. His government recently pulled the plug on US aid to South Africa, citing concerns over land seizures and alleged discrimination against Afrikaners.

Then there’s the issue of Ebrahim Rasool. South Africa’s former ambassador to Washington was shown the door after criticising Trump, his policies and his hostility towards South Africa. Rasool accused Trump of leading a global white supremacist movement and suggested that the MAGA movement was a response to America’s shifting demographics. His removal only deepened the rift between the two governments.

Just to add another layer of drama, South African-born billionaire Elon Musk has been feuding with Pretoria over SpaceX’s Starlink internet service. Musk—who backed Trump’s election campaign—has taken aim at South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies, blaming them for preventing Starlink’s entry into the local market. If Bonzell’s tenure is approved, Musk’s close ties to Trump could be another curveball in an already complex relationship.

What happens next?

Speaking at a Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa event yesterday, President Cyril Ramaphosa made it clear that South Africa isn’t about to let outside influences dictate its diplomatic appointments.

“The president appoints ambassadors, and it is within his sole right to appoint ambassadors,” he said, adding that South Africa will send a top-tier diplomat to Washington to represent its interests.

Bozell’s appointment is still pending approval by the US Senate, where he will need to undergo a confirmation hearing before taking up the post.

With Bozell’s confirmation still up in the air, the big question is whether his appointment will ease tensions or deepen the divide. Given his conservative leanings and unwavering support for Israel, Pretoria may need to brace for some choppy diplomatic waters ahead.