President Cyril Ramaphosa picking Mcebisi Jonas as special envoy to the US rather than ambassador is a strategic move to facilitate more direct and flexible engagement with key stakeholders within the Trump administration.
This does not mean the search for a new ambassador to replace Ebrahim Rasool has been placed on hold, according to people familiar with the matter. Rasool’s former post remains vacant.
Jonas, as special envoy, will not be required to present his credentials to US President Donald Trump in line with diplomatic protocols.
Jonas’ appointment is part of SA’s calculated step to reset relations with the US, which have deteriorated in recent months, and position SA’s interests at the forefront of bilateral discussions.
"[An] envoy can accelerate engagements without the bureaucracy burden,” a source close to the appointment said.
Jonas, who has previously served as deputy finance minister, is “entrusted with the responsibility to advance SA’s 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,” the presidency said in a statement.
Jonas broke away from active politics in 2017 after being fired by former president Jacob Zuma, alongside the late then finance minister Pravin Gordhan. During his testimony before the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture, Jonas famously detailed how he declined a R600m bribe from the Zuma-aligned Gupta brothers and was also offered the post of finance minister.
“He has political credibility within political and business circles and he knows how to sell SA to the markets,” political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast said. “It’s not going to be an easy thing to untwist Trump because he has already taken a position.”
Jonas previously served as one of four presidential advisers whom Ramaphosa appointed in 2018 to draw investment to SA. He will retain his position as chair of Africa’s largest mobile operator, MTN, while performing his duties. He is also the chair of Northam Platinum.
Jonas previously served as one of four presidential advisers whom Ramaphosa appointed in 2018 to draw investment to SA. He will retain his position as chair of Africa’s largest mobile operator, MTN, while performing his duties. He is also the chair of Northam Platinum.
His appointment follows the expulsion of Rasool in March, after weeks of antagonistic statements and moves by the Trump administration towards SA. Trump and other members of his administration have repeated discredited claims of “genocide” against white Afrikaners in SA as reasons behind halting US funding to SA.
At the weekend, Trump signalled he would not attend the Group of 20 leaders summit in November in Johannesburg, citing misleading claims of land confiscation.
The tension between Pretoria and Washington has been a pressure point for the government of national unity, which aims to maintain economic and diplomatic ties with its second-largest trading partner.
“This appointment underscores his distinguished career and continued commitment to advancing SA’s national and economic interests. For decades, SA and the US have maintained a historical and strategic relationship. In the interest of our country, our region and the rest of our continent, I [Ramaphosa] remain committed to rebuilding and maintaining this relationship for more decades on the basis of mutual respect, recognition of each other’s sovereignty and benefit for our respective peoples,” the presidency said on Monday.
In a statement after his appointment, Jonas conceded there was “no quick fix” to the complexity arising from the tension between the US and SA.
“I am fully cognisant of the difficulties that lie ahead, considering recent global developments. However, I believe that areas of commonality and mutual interest could be embraced to reaffirm the long-standing ties between our two countries,” Jonas said.
“I appeal that, in the national interest, South Africans exercise patience and allow us time and space to engage fully with different stakeholders in the US and SA.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.