South Africa's (SA) Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation says the country's policy of non-alignment should not be conflated with neutrality. The statement comes in response to social media posts by U.S. Ambassador Brent Bozell, who argued that SA cannot claim to be non-aligned while strengthening ties with countries Washington considers its adversaries.

In response, the ministry stressed that SA's non-aligned foreign policy allows it to engage with countries across the global spectrum and that Pretoria reserves the sovereign right to cultivate bilateral relations in line with its national interests.

Lulu Gaboo spoke to Professor of Political Science & International Relations and Director of CANRAD Centre at Nelson Mandela University, Bheki Mngomezulu.