The truth behind Mcebisi Jonas’s absence from the White House

The South African Presidency has pushed back against speculation that visa issues kept Special Envoy Mcebisi Jonas out of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s delegation to Washington.

According to Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, Jonas chose not to join the meeting with US President Donald Trump, and his absence had no impact on the official schedule.

“The Presidency acknowledges recent commentary regarding Mr Jonas and deems it prudent to provide clarity,” Magwenya stated.

“Initial interpretations of procedural matters, communicated in good faith, have been amended following confirmation that Mr Jonas holds a valid US visa.”

Raised objections

Speculation around Jonas’s exclusion intensified after reports surfaced alleging the Trump administration raised objections linked to past remarks Jonas made, referring to Trump as “a racist, a homophobe, and a narcissistic right-winger.”

The comments, made in 2020 when Jonas was not serving in government, resurfaced following his appointment as envoy in April.

In response, Mcebisi Jonas said, “People move on and confront challenges of the time. The task at hand is to work on the relations between the two countries.”

While Magwenya reiterated that Jonas’s absence was voluntary, he also acknowledged during an interview with Radio 702 that there had been “displeasure” from the Trump administration over Jonas’s past remarks – a sentiment echoed in a post by respected journalist Clement Manyathela on X.

Magwenya added that the Presidency may reconsider Jonas’s role should tensions remain unresolved, noting that the goal remains to maintain constructive diplomatic engagement between South Africa and the United States.

Without Mcebisi Jonas, the delegation comprised Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen.

Cyril Ramaphosa also leveraged President Trump’s passion for golf by inviting South African pro golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen.

In addition, Ramaphosa was accompanied by Johann Rupert, the Founder of Richemont and Chairman of Remgro.

The delegation also included Vice President of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) Adrian Gore and President of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) Zingiswa Losi.