Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

15 April 2025

3 minute read

With strained relations between South Africa and the United States of America, President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday appointed former deputy finance minister and presidential counsel on investment, Mcebisi Jonas, as his special envoy to the US.

Aiming to strengthen diplomacy and economic ties, pollical analyst Dr Dale McKinley stated that normally special envoys are deployed in conjunction with an ambassador to deal with issues of extraordinary circumstances. In the unique situation that South Africa currently finds itself in, having no current ambassador to the US, the special envoy has been given the “dual mandate” to represent both the president and the country.

As a result of the tariff increases, President Trump’s attacks on South Africa and his plans not to attend the G20 Summit being held in the country later this year, Mcebisi Jonas, a “trusted ally” of Ramaphosa, has been deployed to “smooth the feathers that have been ruffled”. Additionally, by choosing a special envoy over an ambassador, the President has managed to bypass official diplomatic processes.

Although scathing remarks that have been previously made by Jonas on President Trump have been circulating on social media platforms, Dr McKinley feels that Trump faces enormous criticism within his own administration. While a special envoy is a notch below an ambassador, Jonas will now serve as the official representative of South Africa.

Listen to the full interview here.