WATCH Live as Gambakwe looks at the announcement by DIRCO that they have summoned US Ambassador Brent Bozell III.

Following the speech in Hermanus on March 10, 2026, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) summoned Ambassador Bozell on March 11 for a formal diplomatic démarche.

Minister Ronald Lamola and government officials cited several specific “undiplomatic” and “anti-diplomatic” remarks as the basis for the summons:

1. Criticism of the Judiciary

The primary flashpoint was the Ambassador’s direct challenge to a South African Constitutional Court ruling. He reportedly stated, regarding the “Kill the Boer” chant: “I’m sorry, I don’t care what your courts say. It’s hate speech.” DIRCO viewed this as a violation of diplomatic protocol and a sign of disrespect toward South Africa’s sovereign judicial institutions.

2. Characterization of B-BBEE

Bozell characterized Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policies as “reverse racism” and a “mandatory surrender of ownership.” Minister Lamola responded by stating that these policies are a “constitutional imperative” designed to address historical structural imbalances and that the Ambassador’s comments overstepped the bounds of acceptable public diplomacy.

3. Claims of Government Non-Responsiveness

The Ambassador claimed that the U.S. had raised concerns about the Expropriation Act and B-BBEE policies a year ago and had not received a response from the South African government. The South African government labeled this claim “unacceptable” and viewed the public airing of these grievances as an attempt to dictate domestic policy.

4. Warning of “Running Out of Patience”

DIRCO took issue with the Ambassador’s warning that the Trump administration was “running out of patience” with Pretoria. This was interpreted as a threat to the bilateral relationship and an attempt to pressure the country into changing its non-aligned foreign policy stance.

5. Sovereignty and Interference

The South African government emphasized that while they welcome public diplomacy, they cannot allow a foreign envoy to “disrespect the sovereignty of South Africa.” Officials noted that just as South Africa does not tell the U.S. how to handle its own localization or domestic policies, they expect the same respect in return.

Read the full speech by the Ambassador below:

Gambakwe also looks at the mining that is taking place in the Strait Of Hormouz.

As of March 11, 2026, the naval mine threat has become the most critical obstacle to reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Following U.S. intelligence reports that Iran began mining the shipping lanes on March 10, the situation has escalated into a direct military confrontation to clear the waterway.

1. Types of Mines Detected

Military analysts and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) indicate that Iran is utilizing a “tiered” mine strategy, drawing from an estimated stockpile of 2,000 to 6,000 mines:

• Acoustic & Magnetic Influence Mines: These are “smart” mines that sit on the seabed and detonate by sensing the unique sound (acoustic) or metal signature (magnetic) of a passing ship. These are nearly impossible to see from the surface.
• Moored Contact Mines: Older but lethal technology. These are tethered to the sea floor and float a few meters below the surface. They detonate upon physical contact with a ship’s hull.
• Drifting Mines: Reports suggest some mines have been released to float freely with the currents. These are particularly dangerous as they can drift into the Gulf of Oman, where hundreds of tankers are currently anchored.

2. Detection & Intelligence (March 10–11)

The detection of these mines was the catalyst for a major U.S. kinetic strike yesterday:

• Surveillance: U.S. intelligence observed small IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) fast boats carrying 2 to 3 mines each into the primary shipping channels.
• The “Death Valley” Assessment: CNN and other outlets have reported that the Strait is now being referred to by officials as “Death Valley” due to the high density of potential hidden hazards.
• GPS Jamming Connection: The massive surge in GPS spoofing (up 55%) is believed to be a tactic to hide the exact locations where these mines are being dropped, making future minesweeping operations much slower and more dangerous.

3. U.S. Counter-Action: “Operation Ruthless Precision”

In response to the mining activity, the U.S. launched a series of targeted strikes on March 10, 2026:

Status	Details
Vessels Destroyed	CENTCOM confirmed the destruction of 16 Iranian minelayers.
Storage Facilities	Air strikes hit several land-based mine storage depots along the Iranian coast.
Escort Status	Despite political claims, the White House confirmed today that no tankers have yet been escorted through the Strait because the mine risk is currently too high.