South African lobby group AfriForum has voiced strong opposition to the appointment of Mcebisi Jonas as the country’s new Special Envoy to the United States.
The appointment of the former deputy finance minister has sparked controversy due to his previous remarks about former President Donald Trump, which are now under scrutiny.
Concerns Over Jonas’s Past Remarks
AfriForum, along with Solidarity, has highlighted comments Jonas made in 2020 where he referred to Donald Trump as a “racist, homophobic and narcissistic right-winger.”
These remarks have raised concerns about whether Jonas is the right choice to represent South Africa, especially given the tense diplomatic relationship between the two nations.
AfriForum’s CEO, Kallie Kriel, questioned Jonas’s ability to rebuild the relationship with the U.S. in light of these past insults.
He took to social media, expressing his doubts about Jonas’s role as Special Envoy: “Here Mr Mcebisi Jonas, South Africa’s new Special Envoy to the United States of America, insults President @realDonaldTrump.
Given these remarks, do you think Jonas will be able to mend the shaky relationship between South Africa and the Trump administration?”
Solidarity Accuses Ramaphosa of Incompetence
Jaco Kleynhans, the head of public liaison at Solidarity, went further by suggesting that the appointment was a result of incompetence within the South African government.
He proposed two possible reasons for Jonas’s appointment: either the vetting process was too weak to identify the problematic remarks, or the ANC-led government deliberately wanted to show disdain towards Trump.
Kleynhans expressed his skepticism about the future of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries, saying, “I can’t see how the relationship between our two countries is going to be repaired now.”
Jonas’s Defense and Explanation
In response to the backlash, Jonas clarified the context of his previous comments.
He explained that at the time of his remarks, he was not in government but speaking as an activist.
Jonas acknowledged that his views were formed during a particular period and suggested that people evolve and confront new challenges over time. “I guess I must put that in context.
At the time, I was outside of government, at the time I was speaking as an activist.
I mean, people move on and confront the challenges of the time,” he explained.
Is Jonas the Right Choice for the Job?
The controversy surrounding Jonas’s past comments has led to a broader debate about his suitability for the role of Special Envoy.
While Jonas has attempted to distance himself from his earlier remarks, the question remains whether his appointment will help improve South Africa’s relationship with the United States.