President Ramaphosa appoints Mcebisi Jonas as his Special Envoy to USA

Mcebisi Jonas is President Cyril Ramaphosa's Special Envoy to US.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former Deputy Finance Minister of South Africa Mcebisi Jonas as his Special Envoy to the United States of America.

Jonas will be serving as the official representative of the President and the Government of the Republic of South Africa.

Ramaphosa said in a statement, in this capacity, Jonas is entrusted with the responsibility to advance South Africa’s diplomatic, trade and bilateral priorities. He will lead negotiations, foster strategic partnerships and engage with U.S. Government officials and private-sector leaders to promote our nation’s interests.

“An eminent South African leader, Mr Jonas served as one of four Presidential Investment Envoys that I appointed in 2018 to facilitate investment into South Afrika. As a former Deputy Finance Minister of South Africa, Mr Jonas brings extensive governmental experience to his new diplomatic role. Concurrently, he holds the position of Independent Non-Executive Chairman of the MTN Group, a role he will maintain alongside his responsibilities as my Special Envoy,” said President Ramaphosa.

He further said Jonas’s appointment underscores his distinguished career and continued commitment to advancing South Africa’s national and economic interests.

Donald Trump declared his discontentment with the South African government over its Expropriation Land Act led by President Ramaphosa however the US President ate a humble pie.

The Trump administration fuelled the tension between the two countries by expelling SA ambassador Ebrahim Rasool. The South African government led by its President Ramaphosa got recognition with massive respect from various countries.  Ramaphosa said South Africa remains committed to human rights which is central to the country’s foreign policy geared to promoting solidarity and respect to all nations globally.

Ramaphosa is still hoping for his engagements with Trump after he stopped US aid to South Africa.

“ For decades, South Africa and the United States of America have maintained a historical and strategic relationship. In the interest of our country, our region and the rest of our continent, I 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,” President said.

Earlier, Ramaphosa addressed the media following a letter of credence from Ambassadors and Heads of Mission at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.

 “Our commitment to human rights defines our international foreign policy, and this is who we are as South Africans. We promote human rights solidarity as well as respect for other nations, and that's how we've decided to define our foreign policy. The recognition by other nations as they come to present their credentials of what we stand for is a real recognition for us, which we really appreciate because sometimes we don’t really realise the impact of what we stand for has on what other people think of us,” SA President said.

Ramaphosa said some nations are relating how the SA Truth and Reconciliation Commission process has also influenced what they are doing, what our constitutional principles are, and how they also influence what they do. 

“So, it’s soft power. We’ve got human rights advocacy in South Africa as the soft power that we spread around the world. We do so with humility, without being arrogant, and without being disrespectful to others. And it is what Ubuntu is all about, that is what defines us, and we are very proud of continuing to adhere to those values and those constitutional principles,” Ramaphosa said. 

He received Heads of Mission Designate from 14 countries during the ceremony which are Bangladesh, Canada,Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Russia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Türkiye, Japan, Mongolia, Portugal, Panama, Nepal, and Senegal. 

Ramaphosa said the presence of Ambassadors and High Commissioners presenting their credentials, sent by their respective countries, indicates that South Africa is open for business. 

“They want to represent the interests of their own countries here, but at the same time promote our own interests. You should be spreading this message and saying, as much as we are going through many challenges, we are seen and recognised by others for what we do, particularly what we seek to do to advance the interests of our own people,” he told journalists.

Meanwhile, the Ambassadors of Canada and Panama acknowledge South Africa's role at the multilateral level, where the country has been pushing for respect for international law and human rights.

Egypt also commended South Africa's stance on the Palestinian question, while the Russian Federation pledged support to Pretoria as the country is preparing to host the G20.

Jonas said he will ensure that the historical relationship between the US and SA was maintained.

“I would like to thank President Cyril Ramaphosa for entrusting me with this important but challenging role. I will do my best to promote a healthy working relationship between South Africa and the US.

“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,” he said.

He also declared that although there no quick solution to fix all the challenges between South Africa and US he remains optimistic and urged the citizens to be patient with the processes. “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,” Jonas pleaded with SA citizens.

The ANC welcomed the appointment of Jonas and highlighted that he is equal to the task who will deliver on his new mandate given by President Ramaphosa.