President Cyril Ramaphosa Working on Finding New Ambassador to the US, SA Wants Non-ANC Candidate
- Ronald Lamola confirmed that the process is underway to find a new ambassador to the United States
- South Africa has not had an ambassador to the US since Ebrahim Rasool was expelled in March 2025.
- South Africans weighed in on the update and suggested who should take over the role of ambassador
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Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG – The process is underway to appoint a new ambassador to the United States of America.
That’s according to International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, who confirmed that the president is working on nominating a candidate for the role. South Africa has not had an ambassador to the US since Ebrahim Rasool was expelled in March 2025.
When could an ambassador be appointed?
While speaking at the Friedrich Naumann Freedom Dialogue on 7 August 2025 in Johannesburg, Lamola explained to attendees that the process of appointing a new ambassador would be long and required the necessary vetting from the South African government.
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“The president is aware that this is an important issue, and I believe that soon he will announce a nomination. With our internal processes, and also processes in the US, even now we would not have concluded the process of appointing an ambassador,” Lamola stated.
He also allayed fears that the country had no representation in the US, saying that there were still some officials based in Washington. President Cyril Ramaphosa also appointed Mcebisi Jonas as a Special Envoy to the US in April 2025, but he has yet to visit the country.
What you need to know about the ambassador situation
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expelled South Africa's ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool.
- Lamola was dismayed by the US government’s process of expelling Ambassador Rasool.
- Rasool spoke out about what happened in the United States and defended his words.
- Rasool also said he was unbothered by Rubio’s reasons for dismissing him.
- Ramaphosa appointed Mcebisi Jonas as his Special Envoy to the United States.
How did South Africans react?
Social media users speculated on who the new ambassador would be, with some joking that it should be Julius Malema, while others urged Ramaphosa not to appoint a member of the African National Congress (ANC).
Otshepeng Tshepi Martins said:
“We want Julius Malema. He'll knock some sense into Donald Trump.”
Mbuso Mthembu said:
“There is nothing as slow as our government. Even appointing an ambassador is a lot of work.”
David Sehaole stated:
“It must not be an ANC member. They’re all sanctioned.”
Phillip Phill Cool Mosiapoa agreed:
“He must elect someone from the other parties in the GNU except for the ANC. Because Trump is still going to put sanctions against ANC members due to corruption in that party.”
Peter Maruping urged:
“Nominate Julius Malema, please.”
George Mzimela said:
“No offence. It can be anybody, but not from the ANC, because when Trump thinks ANC, he thinks corrupt, and so does the majority of people, even in South Africa.”
Thande Thandeka stated:
“Trump wants a white South African ambassador in the USA.”
Ramaphosa considers Afrikaners for ambassador role
In April, Briefly News reported that Ramaphosa was looking for a replacement for Ebrahim Rasool.
The president identified four Afrikaners who could fill the vacant post and ease tensions with the US.
With Trump showing sympathy for Afrikaners, Ramaphosa was reportedly considering hiring one.
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Source: Briefly News
