President Cyril Ramaphosa is currently considering the appointment of the South African Ambassador to the US.
Image: Phando Jikelo / Parliament of SA
Pressure is mounting on President Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint an ambassador to the US after the position became vacant when Ebrahim Rasool was expelled and declared “persona non grata” by Donald Trump's administration last March.
Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane mentioned the matter during the debate on South Africa’s response to the Middle East conflict on Thursday.
Maimane said South Africa needed an ambassador to the US quickly.
“I want to call on the president to act urgently and appoint a competent ambassador to represent our interests and have a permanent place so that we can settle a trade deal,” he said during the debate.
Maimane noted that it has now been a full year without an ambassador in Washington.
“This absence hampers our ability to advance trade and attract investment. Every day without a US ambassador weakens South Africa’s influence and interests,” he said.
“The president must stop sitting on his hands and act immediately to appoint a qualified ambassador, ensuring South Africa’s voice is heard, and our interests are defended,” added Maimane.
His call comes after International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola recently replied to parliamentary questions from DA MP Ryan Smith.
Smith asked about the progress made to identify and nominate a new ambassador.
Lamola said in his written response that Ramaphosa will be guided by the Constitution that confers on him the power to appoint ambassadors, plenipotentiaries, and diplomatic and consular representatives.
“The President of the Republic is currently considering the appointment of the South African Ambassador to the USA, and upon determination, the president will make an announcement of the candidate for the position of Ambassador to the United States of America,” he said.
Lamola previously provided a similar response when he was asked by various MPs after he announced the appointment of Mcebisi Jonas as his Special Envoy to the US with effect from April 1, 2025.
The government has said South Africa was committed to maintaining strong diplomatic and economic ties with the United States of America.
He had stated that Jonas was not a replacement for Rasool.
However, the Trump administration has since denied Jonas a diplomatic visa and rejected his credentials, citing past critical remarks in which he reportedly called Trump a “racist”, “homophobe”, and a “narcissistic right-winger” in 2020.
This meant that the position of ambassador has remained vacant ever since.
However, it was reported earlier this week that former ambassador to Bulgaria, Thabo Thage, will lead the mission in the US.
This takes place as US ambassador-designate to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III presented copies of his Letters of Credence and Recall of his predecessor, Reuben Earl Brigety II, to the Acting Chief of State Protocol at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
However, Bozell is yet to present the original Letters of Credence and Recall, personally, to Ramaphosa in a formal ceremony.
On Wednesday, the ANC stated that it will not engage Bozell until he is formally received by Ramaphosa.
Addressing a media briefing, ANC Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane said she would not give legitimacy to his role without following proper diplomatic protocol.
“Others can meet with him and interact with him, but until the head of state receives him and accepts his credentials, we are not even looking forward to an invitation because it would be informal, it would not add value,” she said.
Bozell raised concerns regarding the controversial “Kill the Boer” chant during a recent meeting with business leaders.
"I’m sorry; I don’t care what your courts say. It’s hate speech," he was quoted as saying.
This led to him being démarched to explain his anti-diplomatic comments after Lamola found his remarks unacceptable.
“While South Africa welcomes public diplomacy and the strengthening of bilateral ties, we emphasised that such engagements must remain consistent with established etiquette and international protocols. In this regard, we have called in Ambassador Bozell to explain his anti-diplomatic remarks," he said last week.
mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za