Cyril Ramaphosa has tapped seasoned politician and business leader Mcebisi Jonas to steer South Africa’s strained relationship with the United States, appointing him as special envoy in a bold diplomatic shake-up.
Jonas, a former deputy finance minister and current MTN Group chair, will take on the high-stakes role while maintaining his position at the telecoms giant. His appointment comes in the wake of diplomatic tensions that saw South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, expelled last month following controversial remarks about US foreign policy.
According to the presidency, Jonas will be responsible for strengthening trade links, boosting bilateral relations, and securing strategic partnerships across political and private-sector fronts in the US. The mission includes ramping up economic diplomacy and reaffirming South Africa’s commitment to foreign investment.
This isn’t Jonas’ first foray into global investment circles. In 2018, Ramaphosa named him as one of four high-profile presidential investment envoys tasked with selling South Africa to international markets, as BusinessTech reports. His strong corporate ties and experience in both government and business are expected to be assets in managing complex negotiations.
The 64-year-old has long been regarded as a steady hand in turbulent times, having publicly opposed state capture during the Zuma era — a move that earned him widespread respect.
His appointment marks a critical moment in South Africa’s foreign policy posture, with the US remaining a key trade partner amid global shifts and BRICS dynamics.
Whether Jonas can smooth over the recent diplomatic hiccup remains to be seen, but with his proven track record and direct line to the president, Pretoria is clearly betting on a seasoned dealmaker to get relations back on track.
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