South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas as a special envoy to the United States, in a high-stakes move to mend diplomatic relations after the Trump administration expelled South Africa’s ambassador last month.
The decision, announced on Monday, comes amid rapidly deteriorating ties between Pretoria and Washington, largely fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s outspoken criticism of South Africa’s domestic and foreign policies.
Ramaphosa described Jonas’s new role as vital for “rebuilding mutual respect and cooperation between our two nations.” The President emphasized that South Africa remains committed to maintaining “constructive, respectful engagement with all partners, including the United States.”
Diplomatic Fallout
Tensions have soared since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025. The former—and now current—President has reignited long-standing grievances about South Africa’s land reform policies, as well as its international stance on Israel and Palestine.
In February, Trump signed an executive order cutting U.S. development and security aid to South Africa, citing alleged human rights violations against the country’s white minority and what he called “deeply hostile” foreign policy positions.
“South Africa is no longer a reliable partner for peace or freedom,” Trump said at the time. “It is pursuing a dangerous agenda both at home and abroad.”
Last month, South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool was expelled from Washington after giving a controversial online lecture, in which he described Trump’s political movement as rooted in “a supremacist instinct.” The webinar, hosted by a U.S.-based think tank, provoked swift retaliation from the White House.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled Rasool a “race-baiting politician,” declared him persona non grata, and ordered his immediate departure. Rasool’s return to South Africa was met with a hero’s welcome by supporters and members of the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
The ambassador’s post has remained vacant since his expulsion, with Ramaphosa’s government opting instead to dispatch a special envoy rather than immediately nominate a new permanent ambassador.
Trump Escalates Rhetoric Ahead of G20 Summit
In a recent post on his Truth Social platform, Trump again lashed out at South Africa, questioning the country’s suitability to host this year’s G20 summit in Johannesburg.
“Is this where we want to be for the G20? I don’t think so!” Trump wrote on Saturday. “They are seizing land from white farmers and then killing them and their families.”
The inflammatory claims, echoed in past statements by both Trump and South African-born tech billionaire Elon Musk, have been firmly denied by Pretoria. South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) labeled the allegations as “dangerous misinformation” rooted in discredited sources.
The South African government insists its new land reform law—passed earlier this year—does not target white farmers or authorize unlawful seizures. The legislation allows for land expropriation without compensation, but only in cases deemed to serve the public interest. No land has yet been taken under the new law.
“There is no campaign of land seizures, and there is certainly no campaign of violence against farmers of any race,” said Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor. “We condemn any suggestion to the contrary as politically motivated disinformation.”
International Court Case Deepens Divide
Adding further strain to the relationship is South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in which it accuses Israel of genocide during its military campaign in Gaza. The case, supported by multiple developing nations, has drawn outrage from Washington, a staunch ally of Israel.
Trump’s administration has cited the ICJ proceedings as evidence that South Africa is siding with U.S. adversaries and supporting groups such as Hamas and Iran. South Africa denies these allegations and maintains that its foreign policy is driven by international law and human rights.
“Our commitment is to peace, justice, and the rule of law,” Ramaphosa stated in response to the criticisms. “We will not be intimidated by any country into abandoning those principles.”
A Strategic Appointment
The choice of Mcebisi Jonas as special envoy is being interpreted as a calculated effort by Ramaphosa to demonstrate seriousness without escalating the diplomatic row further. Jonas, a respected technocrat and businessman, is viewed as a pragmatic figure with credibility in both South Africa and abroad.
He served as deputy finance minister from 2014 to 2016 and was widely praised for standing up to alleged corruption under former President Jacob Zuma. In recent years, Jonas has focused on economic development initiatives and chairs a major investment promotion board.
His mandate, according to government insiders, is to engage directly with U.S. lawmakers, business leaders, and civil society to rebuild trust and correct what Pretoria views as deliberate distortions of South Africa’s policies.
“The President believes Mr. Jonas has the right combination of gravitas, clarity, and diplomacy to reset this relationship,” said a senior official in Ramaphosa’s office. “This is about de-escalation and engagement, not confrontation.”
The Road Ahead
As South Africa prepares to host the G20 summit in November, the stakes could not be higher. If the diplomatic standoff with Washington continues, it could result in a symbolic snub—with Trump and other top U.S. officials potentially skipping the event.
Analysts say Jonas’s success in Washington could determine not only whether the summit is a triumph for South Africa but also whether the broader relationship with the United States survives the current storm.
“The two countries have too much at stake to let this spiral out of control,” said political analyst Lebo Mtimde. “But it’s going to take real effort to navigate past the politics of grievance and get back to mutual respect.”
As of now, the U.S. has not responded publicly to Jonas’s appointment. For Pretoria, however, the message is clear: South Africa wants dialogue, not deadlock. Whether Washington reciprocates remains to be seen.
