Faith Nyasuguta
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas (pictured) as a special envoy to the United States in a bold move aimed at repairing strained diplomatic relations between the two countries. Tensions have escalated significantly since Donald Trump returned to the White House, with a series of political and policy disagreements deepening the divide.
Jonas’s appointment is intended to “advance South Africa’s diplomatic, trade and bilateral priorities,” according to Ramaphosa’s office. The envoy will act as the president’s official representative and lead high-level engagements with US officials and business leaders to restore cooperation.
Jonas brings a strong resume to the role. He previously served as one of four investment envoys tasked in 2018 with attracting foreign investment to South Africa. However, he is perhaps best known for his whistleblowing role in one of the country’s most notorious political scandals. In 2015, Jonas alleged that members of the Gupta family, close allies of then-President Jacob Zuma, offered him a staggering 600 million rand bribe to accept the post of finance minister. Jonas refused the offer and later testified that he was warned he would be killed if he spoke about the meeting.
The Gupta family and Zuma have denied all allegations of corruption. Nevertheless, Jonas’s testimony became a critical part of the larger “state capture” inquiry that exposed deep-rooted corruption within government and business circles during Zuma’s administration. Jonas’s decision to come forward, despite threats, earned him a reputation for integrity and courage, traits that Ramaphosa appears keen to harness in his new diplomatic effort.
Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated sharply in recent months. In a dramatic move, Washington expelled South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool last month over comments critical of the Trump administration. Tensions also flared when Trump announced the US would cut aid to South Africa, citing disapproval of the new Expropriation Law, which permits land seizures without compensation in certain cases.
Trump has also announced he will boycott the G20 Summit scheduled to take place in South Africa later this year, referencing the controversial land policy as his main reason. Additionally, he has condemned South Africa for its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, where the country accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, allegations that Israel strongly denies.
Ramaphosa’s decision to send Jonas to Washington is part of a broader diplomatic strategy. Earlier this year, he revealed plans to dispatch special envoys to several countries to explain South Africa’s positions on contentious global matters. Jonas will continue to serve as the independent non-executive chairman of MTN Group, a multinational telecommunications giant, while fulfilling his envoy duties.
The success of Jonas’s mission will likely play a key role in shaping the future of South Africa-US relations, especially as tensions and domestic pressures mount on both sides.
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