SOUTH Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appointment of former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas as Special Envoy to the United States has been plunged into controversy mere hours after the announcement, as past critical comments about U.S. President Donald Trump have surfaced.
Jonas, who was appointed to repair severely strained diplomatic relations between the two nations, previously referred to Trump as “a racist, homophobe and a narcissistic right-winger who took charge of the world’s greatest economic and military powerhouse” during the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation Annual Lecture in November 2020.
The comments bear striking similarity to — if not exceed — remarks that reportedly led to the expulsion of South Africa’s previous ambassador to Washington Ebrahim Rasool. The revelation threatens to undermine the diplomatic mission before it begins and further complicate efforts to resolve the trade dispute.
“In this capacity, Mr. Jonas is entrusted with the responsibility to advance South Africa’s diplomatic, trade and bilateral priorities,” President Ramaphosa had said in his initial statement announcing the appointment. “He will lead negotiations, foster strategic partnerships and engage with U.S. government officials and private-sector leaders to promote our nation’s interests.”
The diplomatic crisis between the two countries has already resulted in the Trump administration imposing 34 tariffs on South African goods, though these have been temporarily paused to allow for diplomatic engagement. Political analysts question whether Jonas’s appointment can achieve its intended purpose given his documented criticism of the U.S. president.
Jonas, an established anti-corruption campaigner and business leader, currently serves as Independent Non-Executive Chairman of the MTN Group and was one of Ramaphosa’s Presidential Investment Envoys appointed in 2018.
When announcing the appointment, President Ramaphosa emphasized his commitment to rebuilding relations “on the basis of mutual respect, recognition of each other’s sovereignty and benefit for our respective peoples.” The White House has not yet responded to either Jonas’s appointment or the revelation of his past statements.
The controversy raises questions about the vetting process for diplomatic appointments and casts doubt on South Africa’s strategy for resolving the diplomatic impasse with the United States.
Neither the White House nor the State Department has issued an official response to Jonas’s appointment.
