US won’t release names of S Africans affected by visa restrictions

The United States of America has decided not to disclose the names of South Africans who will be affected by the newly imposed visa restrictions. These restrictions will be applied to government officials, civil servants, and individuals who continue to support the controversial "kill the Boer, kill the farmer" song.

At a recent news conference, Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III spoke on various topics, including the visa restrictions, US-South African trade relations, and the concerns of the minority Afrikaner group. Bozell explained that despite the strained relations between both nations, there is still a willingness to engage in diplomatic conversations.

The US diplomat pointed out that relations between the two countries had been declining for years before President Donald Trump took office. Bozell said, "Relations were sliding for many years. Even before Donald Trump took over, they were sliding. The slide seems to be accelerated, in recent years, to the point where the United States says, 'do we really have a point in South Africa we want?'"

Bozell also mentioned his meeting with former South African President Thabo Mbeki five months ago, describing it as fruitful. He expressed hope for future collaboration with Mbeki, stating that he believes Mbeki to be a "reasonable man, good man, wise man, accomplished man."

Earlier, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had expressed willingness to engage with the US government. He said, "On the US, we have noted what the Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced about restrictions on certain individuals. They haven't named the individuals. As the South African government, we continue to safeguard our sovereignty as the nation. But at the same time, we are willing to and prepared to continue engaging with the United States."

Trade Minister, Mr. Parks Tau, and International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Mr. Ronald Lamola, expressed their hope to meet with their US counterparts at the margins of the UN General Assembly to discuss the visa restrictions.