President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Mcebisi Jonas as his special envoy to the United States, a move aimed at addressing strained political and economic relations between the two nations.
Announcing the appointment on Monday, Ramaphosa noted Jonas’s extensive experience and leadership credentials.
He said Jonas, a former Deputy Finance Minister and current non-executive chairman of the telecommunications group MTN, will represent South Africa’s government in advancing diplomatic, trade and bilateral priorities.
“He will lead negotiations, foster strategic partnerships, and engage with US government officials and private sector leaders to promote our nation’s interests,” Ramaphosa said.
Jonas previously served as one of four presidential investment envoys appointed in 2018 to attract investment into South Africa, further solidifying his expertise in navigating complex economic landscapes.
The appointment comes at a critical juncture in South Africa-US relations, which have faced challenges in recent years.
While the two nations share a historical and strategic partnership, tensions have emerged over differing stances on global issues, trade policies and governance concerns.
These have included differences on global issues such as Israel’s onslaught on Palestine’s Gaza Strip, and South Africa’s apparent coziness with Russia and China.
The latest straining of relations was triggered by what US President Ronald Trump has called the alleged ill-treatment of Afrikaners by South African authorities.
On February 7, Trump signed an executive order offering asylum to white Afrikaners and cutting aid to South Africa.
The US said it made the decision after Ramaphosa signed a law allowing the government to expropriate land to resettle landless black South Africans and over the genocide case Pretoria brought against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Ramaphosa on Monday reaffirmed his commitment to rebuilding and maintaining the relationship, emphasising mutual respect and shared benefits for both nations.
