South African President Cyril Ramaphosa named former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas as special envoy to the United States on Monday. The appointment aims to repair relations that have deteriorated under President Donald Trump. The US expelled South Africa's ambassador and reduced financial aid after Trump returned to office in January, criticizing the country's land reform policies and its genocide case against Israel at the World Court. Trump claimed without evidence that South Africa takes land and mistreats certain groups of people.
Jonas currently chairs telecom company MTN and will keep that position alongside his diplomatic role. He will represent Ramaphosa and the South African government in negotiations with the Trump administration, though his position differs from an ambassador. Jonas acknowledged the difficult task ahead but expressed hope they could find common ground to strengthen longstanding ties between both nations.
During his time at the finance ministry, Jonas spoke out against corruption and testified at a judicial inquiry about government wrongdoing. He told investigators the Gupta brothers, friends of former president Jacob Zuma, offered him the finance minister job and large sums of money. Both Zuma and the Guptas denied these allegations.
Jonas currently chairs telecom company MTN and will keep that position alongside his diplomatic role. He will represent Ramaphosa and the South African government in negotiations with the Trump administration, though his position differs from an ambassador. Jonas acknowledged the difficult task ahead but expressed hope they could find common ground to strengthen longstanding ties between both nations.
During his time at the finance ministry, Jonas spoke out against corruption and testified at a judicial inquiry about government wrongdoing. He told investigators the Gupta brothers, friends of former president Jacob Zuma, offered him the finance minister job and large sums of money. Both Zuma and the Guptas denied these allegations.
