Ramaphosa’s next diplomatic step could reset tense US relations

South Africa’s relationship with the United States has been anything but smooth lately. But this week, a quiet diplomatic ritual in Pretoria could mark the beginning of a reset.

Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to formally receive the credentials of Brent Bozella procedural step, yes, but one loaded with political meaning after months of tension between Pretoria and Washington.

A handshake after months of friction

The accreditation ceremony, scheduled for 8 April, will officially allow Bozell to take up his role as the United States’ ambassador to South Africa. Until that moment, diplomats remain in a kind of limbopresent, but not fully empowered.

Bozell won’t be alone. Envoys from nearly 20 countries, including Cuba, will also present their credentials. But it’s the US appointment that’s drawing the most attention.

That’s because relations between South Africa and the US have been under strainparticularly since Donald Trump returned to office.

What went wrong between Pretoria and Washington?

To understand why this moment matters, you have to rewind a bit.

Last year, tensions escalated dramatically when South Africa’s ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool, was expelled by Washington. His remarks linking Trump supporters to a “supremacist movement” triggered a diplomatic fallout that hasn’t fully healed.

Since then, the relationship has been marked by:

• Public accusations from Trump about a so-called “genocide” against white farmersclaims widely dismissed as unfounded
• Trade pressure, including some of the highest tariffs in sub-Saharan Africa applied to South African goods
• A US boycott of G20-related meetings hosted by South Africa
• Ongoing criticism of Pretoria’s ties with countries like Russia, China, and Iran

Even behind the scenes, engagement has been limited. South Africa’s special envoy to the US, Mcebisi Jonas, has reportedly struggled to gain traction in Washington.

Bozell’s rocky start, even before credentials

Interestingly, Bozell’s arrival hasn’t been without its own complications.

Before officially stepping into his role, he was already pulled into diplomatic tensions. South Africa’s foreign ministry issued a formal démarche (a diplomatic protest) after he made remarks questioning a local court ruling on hate speech.

It’s an unusual situationhighlighting just how sensitive and fragile the relationship has become.

Public reaction: cautious, curious, and a little sceptical

On South African social media, the news has been met with mixed reactions.

Some users see this as a necessary step toward stabilising a crucial trade and political partnership. Others are more sceptical, pointing out that deeper disagreementsespecially around foreign policy and race narrativeswon’t disappear overnight.

There’s also a strong local undercurrent: many South Africans are increasingly aware of how global politics directly affect everyday life, from fuel prices to food costs and job opportunities linked to exports.

Why this moment matters for South Africans

While diplomatic ceremonies can feel distant from daily life, US–South Africa relations have real-world consequences.

The United States remains one of South Africa’s key trading partners, and tensions can ripple through industries like agriculture, automotive manufacturing, and mining.

There’s also the broader geopolitical balancing act. South Africa has positioned itself as part of a more multipolar worldstrengthening ties with BRICS nationswhile still maintaining relationships with Western powers.

This balancing act is becoming harder to sustain as global tensions rise.

A quiet reset or just a pause?

Bozell’s accreditation doesn’t magically fix the relationship. But it does reopen a formal channel that had grown strained and, at times, stagnant.

He replaces Reuben Brigety, who stepped down following the US political shift in late 2024. Meanwhile, South Africa has yet to appoint a new ambassador to Washington after Rasool’s departurea gap that still needs to be filled.

For now, all eyes will be on that moment in Pretoria: the presentation of credentials, the handshake, the photographs.

In diplomacy, these small gestures often signal bigger intentions. The question is whether both sides are ready to move past the noiseand start talking again in earnest.