By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The President Cyril Ramaphosa received letters of credence from the newly appointed Heads of Mission from 20 countries across the world.
US ambassador Leo Brent Bozell and envoys from 19 other nations, including Cuba, Lebanon, Zimbabwe and Ukraine, were formally accredited at a ceremony in Pretoria, on Wednesday, enabling them to fully assume their duties.
Letters of Credence are official diplomatic documents presented to the President by Heads of Mission-designate who have been nominated by their respective governments to serve as ambassadors to South Africa.
Addressing Heads of Mission, the President said South Africa stands ready to partner with nations for trade, development and peace.
Ramaphosa said the envoys begin their tenure at a time when South Africa’s economy is recovering, supported by ongoing structural reforms.
“The structural reform agenda we embarked on in 2018 to overcome longstanding constraints to investment and growth continues to gain momentum,” he said.
He noted improvements in key economic indicators, including stabilised public debt and increased job creation, as well as progress made through investment drives.
He also outlined expectations for the diplomats, stressing the importance of mutual respect, non-interference and constructive engagement.
“As President, whenever I appoint Ambassadors and High Commissioners to your country, I expect them to promote good relations between our two nations. I expect them to respect your country’s sovereignty and promote trade and investment opportunities in our respective countries.”
“I also expect them to promote South Africa’s culture and value system and strengthen people-to-people relations,” he said.
The President underscored the importance of diplomacy conducted with tact and discretion.
“I always make it a point to inform them that they should never criticise their host countries publicly and in a confrontational manner but should always seek to raise issues privately and constructively.”
“They should always seek to build relationships with various stakeholders in the host country. They should always choose to preserve dignity and partnership between our respective countries,” the President said.
Ramaphosa’s rebuke comes after Bozell was issued with a formal reprimand for criticizing the government and questioning a domestic court ruling.
Bozell, 70, was issued with a démarche last month, after he doubled down on the criticism and warned that Trump is running out of patience with South Africa over its failure to address US demands for changes to its domestic and foreign policies.
He also criticized a Constitutional Court ruling that found the anti-apartheid Kill the Boer chant isn’t hate speech.
Bozell subsequently downplayed the differences between the two countries, emphasizing their strong economic ties.
Speaking to journalists after presenting his credentials to Ramaphosa, Bozell emphasised that his comments were not made with malice.
“I have the greatest respect for the judiciary. I say judges can be wrong, American judges are wrong all the time. That doesn’t mean I have no respect for the judiciary. I have complete respect for the American judicial system.”
Bozell also said he was optimistic about strengthening the fragile diplomatic relationship between Pretoria and Washington.
“We are two nations with great shared values and interests. It’s my goal during my time here to build on those shared interests and mutual respect, as well as to take our two nations to places they’ve never been before. I believe in the art of the possible, and I believe it will happen.”
Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated sharply since Donald Trump returned to the White House last year.
Bozell was a controversial choice for ambassador, having opposed efforts by the African National Congress (ANC) — to overturn White-minority rule in the 1980s.