Ramaphosa set to discuss crucial 'ambassador appointment' with Trump

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa will not let South Africa be bullied during discussions in Washington regarding trade, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said while addressing a post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday.

Government sources believe that Ramaphosa will discuss the appointment of a new ambassador to the US with US President Donald Trump during their upcoming meeting. 

The meeting between Ramaphosa and Trump comes amid strained diplomatic relations between the two countries. The US had expelled former South African ambassador Ebrahim Rasool in March, declaring him persona non grata for criticising Trump.

Ramaphosa has since appointed Mcebisi Jonas as special envoy to the US, but the appointment of a new ambassador is still pending. Strained diplomatic relations between South Africa and the US have raised questions about appointing a new ambassador. 

Recently, 59 South Africans immigrated to the US after the Trump administration granted them “refugee” status. The Presidency confirmed Wednesday night that Ramaphosa would be in Washington from May 19-21.

However, addressing a post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday, Ntshavheni told the media that Ramaphosa would not let South Africa be bullied during discussions in Washington regarding trade.

Ntshavheni said Ramaphosa expected a "level of decorum" during his visit.

She said that despite their differences, Ramaphosa did not anticipate any mistreatment or embarrassment during the meeting.

"We expect a very cordial discussion. As I've said previously, it doesn’t mean there won’t be differences, and there's no one person or one country which is entitled to differ more than the other.

"Where they differ, we will also differ. South Africa has, over the years, demonstrated that we are a sovereign state,” said Ntshavheni.

In February, Trump embarrassed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to Washington, with Trump branding the Ukrainian president a "dictator" who refuses to hold elections.

Government sources within the ANC suggest that Trump would like an ambassador who shares his views and priorities. However, analysts argue that Trump should not dictate the type of ambassador Ramaphosa should appoint.

International Relations Minister, Ronald Lamola, recently announced that Ramaphosa would soon appoint a new US ambassador, saying that Mcebisi Jonas has been designated as a special envoy to establish a foundation for peace.

Some of the names that have been tipped to take over from Rasool were Ibrahim Patel, Roelf Meyer and Martinus van Schalkwyk.

Political analyst Sandile Swana said Trump should not dictate the type of ambassador Ramaphosa should appoint.

“It will not help for Trump to prescribe who should be the ambassador because you need an ambassador who is going to be sure that he is representing the interests of SA, and more especially the wishes of the overwhelming black majority in South Africa. 

“No matter who we send. Even if we had to send Tony Leon. Tony Leon cannot get there and misrepresent anything that may cause parliament to rebel against the state president."

Rich Mashimbye, an expert on international relations, believes that the US government is primarily concerned with safeguarding the interests of white South Africans.

"The only condition that would likely make the US government tone down on its white genocide accusations against the South African government and the imposing of an ambassador is if Ramaphosa assures them that the interests of white minority would be safeguarded, notwithstanding the justified need to correct colonial and apartheid legacies in the country," Mashimbye said.