When the US ambassador presents Ramaphosa with credentials, he falls in love with South Africa. Leo Brent Bozell III, the newly appointed United States ambassador to South Africa, stated that just two months after arriving, he has already fallen in love with the nation. He made the statement in a message he delivered as he formally presented his diplomatic credentials to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

 During an official event at the Sefako M, Bozell presented his Letters of Credence and Recall. Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse on Wednesday, marking the formal start of his tenure as Washington’s envoy.

 "Mr. President, I cannot tell you how many people told me before I got here that I would fall in love with the country. I can confirm that, and it has only taken two months. Bozell said the US and South Africa are two nations with “shared values and interests”.

 “Perhaps not enough people are aware of this, but you, your excellency, wrote your constitution in its entirety. You are aware of that.

"I want to build on our shared interests, self-respect, shared values, and take our two nations to places they've never been before during my time here. I believe in the art of the possible, and I believe it will happen.”

 Bozell’s remarks come despite recent diplomatic tensions between Pretoria and Washington.  These include disagreements over South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, as well as backlash after the ambassador publicly criticised a local court ruling on the controversial “kill the boer” chant.