Pretoria — President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appointment of Mcebisi Jonas as South Africa’s Special Envoy to the United States has ignited a political firestorm, drawing sharp criticism from right-leaning civil society groups AfriForum and Solidarity.
The announcement, made on April 14, 2025, has stirred debate across the political spectrum — but most vocally from AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel and Solidarity’s Jaco Kleynhans. Both have questioned Jonas’s diplomatic suitability, citing a controversial 2020 speech in which he labeled former U.S. President Donald Trump a “racist, homophobic narcissist.”
“You can’t send someone who publicly insulted a U.S. president as an ambassador to that country,” Kriel said, warning that Jonas’s appointment could strain diplomatic efforts, especially if Trump wins re-election later this year.
Kleynhans went further, calling the move either a “vetting failure” or a “calculated insult” by the ANC to the U.S. political establishment. “It’s as if the ANC is deliberately provoking Washington,” he remarked.
A Divisive Debate
While the critique has made headlines, it has also attracted strong backlash from the public and other political voices, who argue that AfriForum and Solidarity are once again overstepping. Many South Africans view the groups’ interference as part of a broader, controversial strategy — one that includes frequent international lobbying trips aimed at discrediting government policies on land reform and education.
On social media platforms, users have labeled the groups’ efforts as “unpatriotic” and “self-serving,” accusing them of prioritizing Afrikaner interests over national unity.
“They go overseas, badmouth the country, and come back claiming to represent the people,” tweeted one user. “It’s not activism — it’s sabotage.”
Political parties such as the EFF and MK Party have taken even harsher positions, describing AfriForum and Solidarity’s foreign campaigns as “treasonous.” In a March 2025 speech, President Ramaphosa directly accused the organizations of spreading “racist misinformation” abroad, a charge that resonated widely across digital platforms.
Who is Mcebisi Jonas?
Mcebisi Jonas, a former deputy finance minister and respected businessman, is often viewed as a pragmatic reformist and a key anti-corruption figure, particularly after his whistleblowing role during the state capture scandal. His defenders argue that he is well-qualified to manage delicate international relations — especially given his deep understanding of both governance and economics.
Supporters say that Jonas’s past criticism of Trump is irrelevant in the context of his broader vision for strengthening South Africa-U.S. relations in areas such as trade, climate cooperation, and African diplomacy.
What’s at Stake?
The dispute highlights deep ideological rifts within South Africa — not just about foreign policy, but about who gets to represent the nation on the global stage.
As the 2025 U.S. presidential election approaches, and South Africa looks ahead to hosting the G20 Summit, the spotlight on foreign diplomacy is growing ever brighter.
For now, Jonas remains in position, with Ramaphosa showing no signs of backtracking — and AfriForum’s criticism only adding fuel to an already heated political climate.
