Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that he expects a comprehensive report from South Africa’s expelled ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, following his abrupt removal from the diplomatic post.
Rasool was declared “persona non grata” by the US State Department after making controversial remarks about the Trump administration during a recent webinar.
He has been given until Friday, March 21, to leave the country, with his diplomatic recognition set to be formally revoked on Monday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Bana Pele Early Childhood Development Leadership Summit in Braamfontein, Gauteng, where he delivered the keynote address, Ramaphosa acknowledged the diplomatic strain caused by Rasool’s remarks but emphasised that discussions with the US were ongoing.
“Ebrahim Rasool will be coming back soon as the US State Department has ruled that he is no longer acceptable in the US, and he is going to come back and give me a full report. So, I will wait for a full report from him.
We have noted the displeasure of the US with regards to remarks made by Ambassador Rasool. Engagements with the US Government are ongoing. pic.twitter.com/tW2ZvE0ABX
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) March 17, 2025
“But at the same time, we have noted the displeasure that has been expressed by the United States, particularly about the remarks he made. And we have noted that and we will engage with them as we are already engaging with them,” Ramaphosa said.
Rasool’s expulsion has raised concerns over the potential impact on South Africa-US relations, particularly in the areas of trade and diplomatic cooperation.
The presidency has since moved to mitigate any fallout, with presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirming that efforts are being made to preserve the longstanding partnership between the two nations.
According to SABC, Magwenya said that a high-level South African delegation will be dispatched to Washington to present a trade proposal aimed at strengthening economic ties.
“There is still a huge opportunity for us to grow and expand our trade relationship with the US, hence, the work that’s being led by the DTIC to look at a formulation of a trade proposal that we can put before the Trump administration and then take things from there.
“And so, in time we will be able to secure the right level audiences with the Trump administration over something that will tangibly bring us together and assist us in mapping the way forward in maintaining this historic diplomatic and strategic relationship with the US,” the report quoted Magwenya as saying.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
