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Former South African ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, received a rousing welcome upon his return to Cape Town International Airport on Sunday. Addressing the media, Rasool stated, ‘It was not our choice to come home, but we come home with no regrets.’

Rasool’s expulsion from the US stemmed from remarks he made during a webinar hosted by the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (Mistra). The discussion, themed ‘Implications of Changes in US Administrations for SA and Africa,’ led to controversy after he criticised US President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, characterising it as a supremacist response to diversity in the country. In response, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited his comments as the reason for his removal.

Rasool issued a written statement on his arrival in Cape Town earlier today.

The diplomatic fallout reflects a broader decline in relations between Washington and Pretoria, which have been strained by US policy decisions, including Trump’s decision to cut financial aid to South Africa. Trump justified the move by alleging that South Africa’s land reform policies were discriminatory against white farmers. Furthermore, Pretoria’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of committing genocidal acts in Gaza, has deepened tensions.

Adding to the friction, Trump recently invited South African farmers to relocate to the United States, reiterating accusations—without evidence—that land was being unlawfully confiscated from white citizens. His ally, tech billionaire Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa during apartheid, also weighed in, alleging that the country’s government enforces ‘openly racist ownership laws.’

Despite these challenges, South Africa has expressed a commitment to strengthening ties with the United States. As the current president of the Group of 20 (G20) leading economies, Pretoria has prioritised diplomatic engagement. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that a delegation of government and business representatives will be dispatched to the US to foster dialogue and rebuild relations.

With the US set to take over the rotating G20 presidency next year, maintaining cooperation remains crucial. Meanwhile, Rasool is expected to submit a report on his expulsion to President Ramaphosa on Monday, 24 March. He reaffirmed that while efforts to repair relations with Washington are important, they should not come ‘at the expense of our values.’

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Amassador Ebrahim Rasool’s speech that made him ‘no longer welcome in the US

Picture: SmileFM

 

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