Cape Town – The ANC is reportedly divided over President Cyril Ramaphosa’s consideration of appointing a white Afrikaner as South Africa’s new ambassador to the United States.
According to BusinessTech, Ramaphosa is said to be considering a prominent Afrikaner for the key diplomatic post amid rising tensions between South Africa and the US.
This follows the recall of current ambassador Ebrahim Rasool after his public criticism of former US President Donald Trump.
Four Afrikaners are reportedly under consideration, said the report, quoting Sunday Times. These are:
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Roelf Meyer, a key apartheid-era negotiator and Ramaphosa ally
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Marthinus van Schalkwyk, former National Party leader and ANC minister
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Andries Nel, former Deputy Justice Minister
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Gerhardus Koornhof, the president’s parliamentary counsellor
Ramaphosa is also said to favour Mcebisi Jonas, the former Deputy Finance Minister, to lead a diplomatic envoy to the US. However, Jonas’s previous comments about Trump have been a source of controversy.
According to IOL, some within the ANC view the potential appointment of an Afrikaner aligned with the party as a strategic move to improve relations with the US — particularly under Trump’s administration, which accused South Africa of discriminating against white farmers.
Others in the party, however, believe the move would be seen as capitulating to Trump’s narrative.
“The president first brought up the matter on the appointment of an Afrikaner closely related to the ANC, with some of his closest comrades to say it would halt an unnecessary war of words with Washington. However, a large part of the NEC is against that consideration,” the report quoted a source as saying.
The source added: “There are many names that are being thrown around. Comrades are saying (Mcebisi) Jonas would be the right choice because he already has one foot in as the Special Envoy to the US. Other comrades are saying we should not be playing into (Donald) Trump’s hands and try to appease him.
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“The president and the secretary-general [Fikile Mbalula] said they were not going to let the US bully us… it’s time they apply what they said.”
Former Minister Ebrahim Patel has also been proposed for the post.
Ultimately, the decision rests with Ramaphosa, though both internal ANC disagreements and external political pressures are complicating the process.
The US–South Africa relationship is strained over issues like the Expropriation Act, which US Republicans falsely claim targets white farmers. US Congressman Troy Nehls has proposed the “Afrikaner Act” to prioritise Afrikaans South Africans for refugee status. Another proposed bill, the Bilateral Relations Review Act, could allow sanctions on South African officials for supporting US adversaries.
Trump has been vocal in his criticism, threatening not to attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg, citing alleged land seizures and violence against white farmers—claims the South African government denies.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
