‘People move on’: Mcebisi Jonas addresses previous remarks about Trump

In 2020, Mcebisi Jonas, South Africa’s newly appointed special envoy to the US, described President Donald Trump as a “racist” and a “narcissistic right-winger.” Despite this, Jonas has stood by his appointment and expressed his dedication to strengthening US-South Africa relations.

Mcebisi Jonas clarifies his criticism of Trump

Earlier this week, The South African highlighted that Jonas had openly criticised Trump in 2020. During that year’s Ahmed Kathrada Foundation annual lecture, he referred to Trump as a “racist”, “homophobe”, and a “narcissistic right-winger”.

In the wake of these revelations, South Africans questioned Jonas’ suitability for the special envoy role. Ebrahim Rasool, the former ambassador to the United States, was expelled from the US following his criticism of Trump. 

But, speaking to Radio 702 on 15 April, Mcebisi Jonas brushed off this concern.  “At the time, I was outside of government. At the time, I was speaking as an activist.”

“I think these things happen,” Jonas added. “I mean, people move on.”

“I’m sure if you Google any politician, they’ll have said something nasty about one politician or another,” he said.

Members of Trump’s own Republican party have also previously been vocal in their criticism of him.

Mcebisi Jonas hopeful about reset of US-SA relations

Mcebisi Jonas urged South Africans to focus on the “task at hand” of resetting relations with the United States. Jonas also underplayed Trump’s influence on the current crisis in diplomatic relations between South Africa and the US. He says issues of trade and geopolitics predate the Trump administration.

“Politics has been overpersonalised,” he said. “The reality, though, is different. There is complexity. There are multiple personalities influencing the direction where things will go.”

Given the 600 US companies operating in South Africa, Jonas thinks there is grounds for optimism that relations with the United States can be repaired.

Jonas urges South Africans to unite

Also in his Radio 702 interview, Mcebisi Jonas urged South Africans to “find commonality of purpose” instead of involving the US in domestic affairs. Afriforum and Solidarity have been widely criticised for seeking US support in their campaign against the Expropriation Act. 

Jonas said he would work to combat misinformation about South Africa in the US. Trump has falsely accused South Africa of racially motivated land grabs. South Africa has not expropriated land without compensation since 1994.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office confirmed on Monday that the appointment of a new ambassador to the US is a separate process. Certainly, Jonas sees his position as temporary. “That will pave the way for a more permanent appointment of an ambassador,” he said on Radio 702.