US ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III arrives in SA

US Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, has arrived in South Africa. CapeTalk and 702's Mandy Wiener asked international relations expert Dr Oscar van Heerden what he thinks is on Bozell's 'to do' list.

"Well, he made it very clear to the Senate committee that confirmed him in Congress that he has a very clear agenda. One: he wants to convince the South African government to withdraw its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice for genocide.

"Two: he wants to fix relations between the United States and South Africa concerning a bipartisan relationship, and that translates into the still-contested bilateral trade agreement. And just general relations with each other.

"And three: he wants us to move away from having undesirable friends such as Iran, Russia, China and so forth," said Van Heerden.

He thinks Bozell has a very ambitious programme. "But this is what he's set out to achieve.

"There are rumours about whether his credentials will be recognised by President Ramaphosa in lieu of the fact that Ebrahim Rasool was declared persona non grata and asked to leave the United States. And any and every subsequent name that we've put forward has been rejected.

"But I do think that the South African government, the Presidency, is going to accept the credentials of Bozell because again they are going to want to demonstrate that they are not petty. That they are the mature person in the room and that they are open to constructive engagement. And that's the operative word.

"The South Africans are going to be receptive to whatever the intention and programme of the ambassador is for as long as it is constructive."

Van Heerden said there's going to be an issue if there's "a continuation of wanting to bully, cajole, threaten and make up lies like the predecessor did that spread lies about Lady R and the selling of arms to Russia and so forth. Then there's going to be a problem."

Bozell's predecessor, Reuben Brigety, accused South Africa of selling arms to Russia that were loaded onto the Russian vessel Lady R while it was docked at Simon's Town naval base. The baseless claim strained US/SA relations.

Bozell, meanwhile, is set to start his term with Trump insisting there is a white genocide happening in South Africa.

"We determine our own foreign policy choices. We are not going to be bullied, and we want to be interacting diplomatically with respect, and our sovereignty must be respected."

To listen to Van Heerden's full discussion with CapeTalk and 702's Mandy Wiener, use the audio player below: