Ramaphosa sends Mcebisi Jonas to Washington

Mcebisi Jonas

Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Mcebisi Jonas as South Africa’s Special Envoy to the United States, following Ebrahim Rasool’s recent expulsion.

Rasool was declared persona non grata and expelled by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio after making controversial remarks about the US and the Trump administration.

Jonas, a former deputy finance minister and current Independent Non-Executive Chairman of MTN Group, previously served as a Presidential Investment Envoy.

“I hereby announce the appointment of Mr Mcebisi Jonas as my Special Envoy to the United States of America, serving as the official representative of the President and the Government of the Republic of South Africa.

“In this capacity, Mr 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 said in a statement on Monday.

Ramaphosa described Jonas as an experienced leader and former Presidential Investment Envoy, noting the importance of restoring ties with the US based on mutual respect and sovereignty.

“An eminent South African leader, Mr Jonas served as one of four Presidential Investment Envoys that I appointed in 2018 to facilitate investment into South Africa.

“As a former Deputy Finance Minister of South Africa, Mr Jonas brings extensive governmental experience to his new diplomatic role. Concurrently, he holds the position of Independent Non-Executive Chairman of the MTN Group, a role he will maintain alongside his responsibilities as my Special Envoy,” Ramaphosa said.

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