• Mcebisi Jonas will lead tough talks with US leaders while facing backlash over past Trump remarks.

• South Africa’s trade, diplomacy and aid depend on how well Jonas can fix strained US ties.

A stormy path lies ahead for former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas as he takes on the role of South Africa’s special envoy to the United States.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has tasked Jonas with fixing the country’s strained ties with the US — despite a video of Jonas calling former US president Donald Trump a “racist homophobe” doing the rounds on social media.

In the video, from the 11th Ahmed Kathrada Foundation lecture, Jonas questions how Trump became one of the world’s most powerful leaders.

“How we got to a situation where a narcissistic rightwinger took charge of the world’s greatest economic and military powerhouse is something we need to ponder over,” he said.

Announcing the appointment, Ramaphosa said Jonas would represent both him and the government.

“In this capacity, Mr Jonas is entrusted with the responsibility to advance South Africa’s diplomatic, trade and bilateral priorities. He will lead negotiations, foster strategic partnerships and engage with U.S. government officials and private-sector leaders to promote our nation’s interests,” said Ramaphosa.

Jonas will also keep his position as Independent Non-Executive Chairman of MTN Group — which owns shares in Irancell. This detail hasn’t gone unnoticed, especially given America’s concerns about South Africa’s ties with Iran.

Far-right group AfriForum, which has long painted South Africa in a bad light to the Trump administration, shared the video on social media.

Its leader Kallie Kriel posted: “Here gives Mr Mcebisi Jonas, South Africa’s new special envoy to the United States of America, his opinion on President Donald Trump. Given these negative remarks, do you think Jonas will be able to salvage the shaky relationship between South Africa and the Trump administration?”

Relations took a nosedive after former ambassador Ebrahim Rasool accused Trump of white supremacist motives. The US expelled Rasool and pulled more than R8-billion in HIV/Aids funding from South Africa.

Things got worse when Trump announced a 31% tariff on South African goods, cancelling a long-standing trade deal. The tariffs are now paused for 90 days, giving Jonas a small window to ease tensions and restart negotiations.

Ramaphosa said fixing ties with America was critical for trade and the economy — not just for South Africa but for the whole continent.

Pictured above: Mcebisi Jonas, South Africa’s new special envoy to the US.

Image source: The Presidency