South Africa’s newly appointed special envoy to the United States, Mcebisi Jonas, is under intense scrutiny just days after his appointment—due to a resurfaced 2020 speech in which he labeled former U.S. President Donald Trump a “racist, homophobic, narcissistic right-winger.”
Jonas, a former deputy finance minister, was named special envoy to Washington by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday, amid efforts to repair strained diplomatic ties with the U.S. The fallout follows a series of tense exchanges during the Trump administration, which culminated in the expulsion of South Africa’s then-ambassador Ebrahim Rasool last month.
Trump Administration’s Hard Line on South Africa
The Trump administration had grown increasingly critical of South Africa’s domestic policies. In February, Trump signed an executive order suspending all U.S. funding to the country, citing alleged “anti-white and anti-American policies”—claims that South African political parties across the spectrum have rejected as baseless.
Amid these tensions, Rasool was removed from Washington after describing Trump’s politics and the “Make America Great Again” movement as fueled by a “supremacist instinct.” In response, Trump’s administration branded Rasool a “race-baiting politician” and accused him of harboring animosity toward Trump.
Jonas’s 2020 Speech: A Flashpoint
Jonas’s controversial remarks came during the Ahmed Kathrada Lecture on November 8, 2020, just five days after Trump lost the U.S. election to Joe Biden. The lecture, hosted by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation—named after the late anti-apartheid activist and close ally of Nelson Mandela—has historically served as a platform for reflection on democracy and social justice.
“Right now, the U.S. is undergoing a watershed moment, with Biden the certain winner in the presidential race against the racist, homophobic Donald Trump,” Jonas said during the lecture.
“How we got to a situation where a narcissistic right-winger took charge of the world’s greatest economic and military powerhouse is something that we need to ponder over. It is something that all democracies need to ponder over,” he added.
While Jonas’s speech primarily addressed global inequality, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the dangers of rising nationalism, it is his condemnation of Trump that has resurfaced in media coverage following his diplomatic appointment.
A Diplomatic Challenge Ahead
In a brief statement following his appointment, Jonas said he was committed to “promoting a healthy working relationship” with the United States, but acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead given the current global climate and recent diplomatic strains.
“I understand the difficulties that lie ahead, considering recent global developments,” Jonas said.
There has been no official comment from Jonas or South African government officials regarding the 2020 speech. However, his appointment has drawn mixed reactions—supporters praise his international experience and economic acumen, while critics question whether his past rhetoric will complicate efforts to restore diplomatic goodwill with the U.S., especially in the event of a Trump political comeback.
Trump’s Claims on South Africa and Land Reform
Trump has repeatedly cited South Africa in inflammatory statements, particularly regarding the government’s land reform policies. He alleged widespread violent attacks on white farmers and accused the government of land seizures, sparking outrage in South Africa. Experts and fact-checkers have widely dismissed these claims as false or exaggerated.
The controversial land expropriation bill, passed recently, allows for the expropriation of land without compensation, but only under strict conditions and in the public interest. No land has been seized under the law to date. Still, Trump offered refugee status to white South African farmers, a move that was celebrated by some right-wing groups but denounced by South African officials and civil society organizations.
