• Mcebisi Jonas appointed Special Envoy to the U.S. by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
• Relations between South Africa and the U.S. have deteriorated following critical remarks about Trump.
• Jonas previously criticized Trump as racist and homophobic in a 2020 speech.
• U.S. President Trump halted aid to South Africa and expelled the ambassador.
• Jonas tasked with mending the diplomatic relationship amid ongoing tensions.

The South African presidency announced the appointment of Mcebisi Jonas as "Special Envoy to the United States of America," tasked with representing the interests of South Africa in Washington. This appointment comes at a time when relations between the two nations have soured significantly, particularly under the Trump administration, which has launched various accusations against South Africa, leading to the suspension of aid. Jonas’ past comments on Trump, describing him as a "racist, homophobic, narcissistic right-winger," have resurfaced amid this diplomatic mission, raising scrutiny regarding his capability to mend ties with the U.S., according to Africanews.

Jonas, a former deputy finance minister and investment envoy, was chosen by President Cyril Ramaphosa who indicated his commitment to rehabilitating the strained relationship with the U.S. in light of recent diplomatic issues. The tension escalated in March when U.S. President Donald Trump ordered an end to foreign assistance to South Africa following remarks by the South African ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, which led to his expulsion from the U.S. for allegedly making derogatory statements about Trump, as reported by LA Times.

In his 2020 Ahmed Kathrada Lecture, Jonas reflected on the political landscape in the U.S. and expressed concerns over the Trump presidency's embrace of regressive policies, stating, "Right now, the U.S. is undergoing a watershed moment." He emphasized the relevance of these developments for global democracies, remarking that they needed to ponder how "a narcissistic right-winger took charge of the world's greatest economic and military powerhouse," according to The Hill.

As Jonas embarks on this diplomatic role, the challenges that lie ahead are evident. The Trump administration has conducted a series of actions against South Africa, ranging from accusations of land grabs involving white minority farmers to halting aid, raising significant hurdles for Jonas' efforts to restore a collaborative relationship, according to Africanews.