President Cyril Ramaphosa has finally shed light on the delayed envoy to the United States, revealing that the US's "transactional" approach has necessitated careful preparation and strategic engagement.
Ramaphosa made these remarks while answering questions in the National Assembly at Parliament in Cape Town on Tuesday.
The diplomatic plight was sparked by US President Donald Trump, who has cut all aid to the country, allegedly because of South Africa’s stance on land reform and its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Ramaphosa explained that the US's shift towards a more transactional approach to international relations has required SA to adapt its diplomatic strategy.
The DA recently sent a delegation, represented by the party’s spokesperson in international relations and cooperation, Emma Powell, and Andrew Whitfield, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, who is also a DA MP, to the US.
This move sparked outrage within the ANC and opposition parties questioning why the government had not yet sent an envoy to end the diplomatic crisis with the US.
“As for the US. No, we have not been beaten (by the DA) to sending an envoy. We have been in very good preparation, and the council that we got, which is a very useful council from a number of quarters, is that the US is now in a position of being very 'transactional'.
"They would like to see what transactions can be crafted with any country that they interact with... and that process is under way through our various departments," he said.
The president emphasised that South Africa remains committed to strengthening its relationship with the US despite the current political impasse.
"The United States of America remains a strategic partner to our country... We will continue pursuing diplomatic cordial relations with the US," he said.
Ramaphosa also highlighted the importance of advancing South Africa's foreign policy interests through strategic engagements.
"The foreign policy is a preserve of the executive... other people who keep going hither and thither at the end do not represent SA. SA is represented by the executive of South Africa... so be rest assured we will be following through," he said.
The president's remarks come amid growing speculation about the delayed envoy to the US. Ramaphosa claimed he had previously attempted to contact Trump twice but to no avail.
Ramaphosa’s security advisor, Sydney Mufumadi, and Minerals and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, last week, cast doubt on the envoy making it to Washington, saying there was no need to.
Despite the challenges, Ramaphosa remains optimistic about the prospects for cooperation between South Africa and the US.
"We have a long history of diplomatic cooperation... our ambassador Ebrahim Rasool has recently been posted in Washington DC for his second stint as our country's envoy to the United States," he said.
The president's comments also highlighted the importance of Africa's relationship with the US.
"When it comes to our continent, we continue to engage with our sister countries through the African Union and the joint sessions of the economic communities on our continents," he said.
Ramaphosa also used the platform to slam lobby groups AfriForum and Solidarity, accusing them of visiting the US to “bad mouth” their own country; however, he said it was up to law enforcement agencies to decide.
“I regard that as being non-patriotic because when you are a patriot of a country, the best you do is resolve problems or issues you have in the country rather than beginning to damage the sovereignty of your country by running to other countries and expecting them to take action against your own country,” Ramaphosa said.
Last week, the Hawks confirmed that they were investigating four dockets against the two groups following their campaign aimed at misinforming US government officials.