In a strategic move, President Cyril Ramaphosa aims to improve US-South Africa relations through a dedicated envoy, amidst rising diplomatic tensions.
South Africa Seeks to Mend Ties with US by Appointing Special Envoy
South Africa Seeks to Mend Ties with US by Appointing Special Envoy
South Africa names Mcebisi Jonas as envoy to alleviate tensions with the United States.
South Africa has announced the appointment of Mcebisi Jonas as a special envoy to the United States in a bid to alleviate the growing tensions between the two nations, particularly heightened since Donald Trump's return to the political forefront. President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement, emphasizing that Jonas would be tasked with advancing South Africa's diplomatic interests, trade, and bilateral priorities.
Jonas, a former deputy finance minister, gained prominence for his corruption allegations against the Gupta family, which had close ties with former President Jacob Zuma. The US government recently expelled South Africa's ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, due to controversial remarks regarding the Trump administration, which has further strained relations.
In his new role, Jonas will serve as a direct representative of President Ramaphosa, focusing on fostering strategic partnerships, leading negotiations, and engaging with both US government officials and private sector leaders to promote South Africa’s interests.
Mcebisi Jonas is not new to the diplomatic arena; since 2018, he served as one of South Africa's four investment envoys, working to attract foreign investments. His rise to prominence came when he openly accused the Gupta family of attempting to bribe him with a substantial sum in exchange for becoming finance minister. This allegation was part of a broader narrative of corruption linked to Zuma's presidency.
Jonas, who declined the bribe and vocally opposed such corruption, claimed he faced threats for speaking out. The Gupta family has denied these bribery claims, while Zuma has consistently refuted all accusations against him.
Currently, Jonas is also serving as the independent non-executive chairman of the telecommunications giant, MTN Group, a position he will maintain alongside his role as special envoy. Earlier this year, Ramaphosa indicated plans to appoint envoys to various nations, including the US, to communicate South Africa's stance on significant issues, many of which have provoked backlash from the Trump administration.
The historical fluctuations in US-South Africa relations have reached a new low, marked earlier this year when Trump halted aid to South Africa over a new Expropriation Law that permits the government to seize land under certain conditions without compensation. Trump has also expressed his intention to boycott the upcoming G20 Summit scheduled for South Africa, citing this controversial land policy as a primary issue, along with South Africa’s decision to take Israel to the International Court of Justice on allegations of genocide in Gaza, which Israel has denied.
