By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas as special envoy to the United States (US).
“In this capacity, Jonas is entrusted with the responsibility to advance South Africa’s diplomatic, trade and bilateral priorities, “according to a statement by presidency on Monday.
“He will lead negotiations, foster strategic partnerships and engage with U.S. government officials and private-sector leaders to promote our nation’s interests.”
“This appointment underscores Jonas’s distinguished career and continued commitment to advancing SA’s economic and national 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 the continent.
Jonas also served as one of four presidential advisers, who Ramaphosa appointed in 2018 to draw investment into SA.
His appointment follows the expulsion of the former ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool in March, after weeks of antagonistic statements and moves by the Trump administration towards SA. US President Donald 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 G20 leaders summit scheduled for November in Johannesburg, citing misleading land confiscation against white Afrikaners.
The tension between Pretoria and Washington has been a pressure point for the government of national unity (GNU), which seeks to maintain economic and diplomatic ties with its second largest trading partner.
“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 United States.
“I will do my best to promote a healthy working relationship between South Africa and the United States,” he said in a statement issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
The former Deputy Minister acknowledged the challenges ahead due to recent global developments.
“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.
“There are no quick fixes in such a complex situation. 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 United States and South Africa.”
Jonas was deputy finance minister between 2014 and 2017. The 65-year-old will maintain his current role as independent non-executive chair of the MTN Group.
An outspoken critic of corruption during his time in government, he featured prominently in a judicial inquiry into graft and influence-peddling during former president Jacob Zuma’s leadership.