South Africa just appointed a new special envoy who previously called President Donald Trump racist and homophobic. Mcebisi Jonas made these comments during a 2020 speech, calling Trump a narcissistic "right-winger." President Cyril Ramaphosa selected Jonas Monday to help fix relations between the countries after the US expelled the South African ambassador last month. The Trump administration cut all funding to South Africa through an executive order in February, claiming the country has anti-white and anti-American policies.
The former ambassador angered Trump officials when he linked MAGA politics to "supremacist instinct" during an online talk. Jonas delivered his critical remarks about Trump five days after the 2020 election at an annual lecture for an anti-apartheid foundation. He has not commented on those past statements since his appointment, but acknowledged difficult challenges ahead in building better relations.
Trump has repeatedly targeted South Africa with criticism. He wrongly claims the government allows attacks on white farmers and takes their land illegally. South Africa passed a law permitting some land expropriation without payment if deemed in the public interest, but no land has been seized under it. Trump recently announced refugee status for white South African farmers seeking US protection.
The former ambassador angered Trump officials when he linked MAGA politics to "supremacist instinct" during an online talk. Jonas delivered his critical remarks about Trump five days after the 2020 election at an annual lecture for an anti-apartheid foundation. He has not commented on those past statements since his appointment, but acknowledged difficult challenges ahead in building better relations.
Trump has repeatedly targeted South Africa with criticism. He wrongly claims the government allows attacks on white farmers and takes their land illegally. South Africa passed a law permitting some land expropriation without payment if deemed in the public interest, but no land has been seized under it. Trump recently announced refugee status for white South African farmers seeking US protection.
