Jonas appointed as Ramaphosa's special envoy to US
In an announcement on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that Mcebisi Jonas would be responsible for advancing South Africa's diplomatic, trade and bilateral priorities.
FILE: Former deputy finance minister, Mcebisi Jonas, reacts during a demonstration march organised by a broad-based coalition called #UniteBehind, to place pressure on MPs to vote for the removal of South African President Jacob Zuma (not visible) before a no-confidence vote by Parliament, on 7 August 2017 in Cape Town. Picture: RODGER BOSCH/AFP
CAPE TOWN - Former deputy finance minister, Mcebisi Jonas has been appointed as the first of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s special envoys to the United States, as the country continues to come under attack from President Donald Trump's administration.
In an announcement on Monday, Ramaphosa said that Jonas would be responsible for advancing South Africa's diplomatic, trade and bilateral priorities.
"I hereby announce the appointment of Mr Mcebisi Jonas as my Special Envoy to the USA, serving as the official representative of the President and the Government of South Africa."
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) April 14, 2025
Statement by President @CyrilRamaphosa on the appointment of his Special Envoy to the US… pic.twitter.com/xxUJfvmf9h
Jonas' appointment comes as the Presidency still mulls over a replacement for former Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, who was expelled from the US in March.
Since Trump came to office, South Africa has been among dozens of countries to have healthcare funding cut and be subjected to increased trade tariffs.
During his State of the Nation Address in February, President Ramaphosa announced that he would be sending special envoys to the United States and other countries to set the record straight on the country’s laws and policies.
It came in response to a disinformation campaign that government was indiscriminately taking land from white farmers and that Afrikaners were being discriminated against.
On Monday, Ramaphosa said that as a special envoy, Jonas would serve as an official representative of the president and government.
In this role, Jonas would have to lead negotiations, foster strategic partnerships and engage with US government officials and the private sector to promote the country's interests.
Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said that the appointment was in line with government's desire to maintain the historical and strategic relationship South Africa has always had with the United States.
"In the interest of our country, the region and the rest of the continent, President Ramaphosa remains committed to rebuilding and maintaining this relationship on the basis of mutual respect, recognition of each other’s sovereignty and benefit for our respective peoples."
Jonas is no stranger to this kind of role, having served as one of four presidential envoys Ramaphosa appointed in 2018, to attract investment to the country.
The Presidency said that Jonas' new diplomatic role would not impact his position as the non-executive chairman of the MTN Group.