Who is L. Brent Bozell III, the new US ambassador to South Africa?

702's Bongani Bingwa speaks to Oscar van Heerden, a scholar of international relations and Dr Terrence McNamee of the Wilson Centre. 

Listen below:

US President Donald Trump has named conservative media critic L. Brent Bozell III as the new US Ambassador to South Africa.

It comes as relations between Pretoria and Washington are at an all-time low.

South Africa's ambassador to the US was recently sent packing and may not even be allowed to visit having been named a persona non grata.

And it seems the new US ambassador to South Africa is an unlikely candidate to repair the relationship. 

He's pro-Israel and super-conservative. But who is Brent Bozell?

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"No one in South Africa knows anything about him."

Dr Terrence McNamee, Wilson Centre. 

But that's not surprising, says McNamee, given that few outside conservative circles in the United States knew much about him either.

So, what do we need to know about Bozell?

"He is deeply conservative. Indeed, conservatism seems to run in his blood."

- Dr Terrence McNamee, Wilson Centre

It also seems that while Bozell may be the flavour of the month with the US President, the feeling hasn't always been mutual.

"He was once very highly critical of Donald Trump. He described him... as 'totally unsuitable for office'."

- Dr Terrence McNamee, Wilson Centre

He is also strongly pro-Israel, says McNamee.

"The right approach, when he finally arrives, is to try not to be too judgmental or dismiss him as a stooge before he gives his first speech."

- Dr Terrence McNamee, Wilson Centre

ALSO READ: Trump card: US President names right wing media critic as preferred US ambassador to SA

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