Washington dismissed the nation’s ambassador last month after Trump accused the ANC-led government of mistreating the country’s white minority population.
South Africa appointed a special envoy to the United States on Monday, after Pretoria’s ambassador was expelled by the U.S. government last month.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Mcebisi Jonas to the post, saying he would help rebuild relations between the two nations, which have severely broken down in recent months.
Jonas, who was deputy finance minister between 2014 and 2017, is currently chairman of telecommunications group MTN, a role he will retain alongside his position as envoy.
“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,” Ramaphosa’s office said in a statement.
Jonas will be the official representative of Ramaphosa and the South African government in talks with the United States, but his new post is different from that of an ambassador.
In a statement issued by South Africa’s foreign affairs department, Jonas said he had a difficult task ahead of him.
“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.
“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.”
South Africa has not yet appointed a new ambassador.
Relations have deteriorated between Africa’s largest economy and Washington after U.S. President Donald Trump accused the African National Congress (ANC)-led government of mistreating the country’s white minority population.
He also said that South Africa’s foreign policy stances were anti-American and signed an executive order in February cutting U.S. funding to the country, citing both those issues.
Trump continued his criticism over the weekend in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, saying the United States did not want to attend the Group of 20 (G20) summit this year if it is held in Johannesburg as planned.
South Africa holds the rotational presidency of the group and is due to host world leaders and top diplomats for a summit in November.
“How could we be expected to go to South Africa for the very important G20 Meeting when Land Confiscation and Genocide is the primary topic of conversation?” Trump wrote.
By Guy Birchall
