South Africans rally behind expelled ambassador

South Africans have rallied behind the country’s ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, saying they will welcome him back home with open arms.

Rasool has been declared a persona non grata in the US and was expelled from Washington after US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, accused him of hating the country and President Donald Trump.

South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country.

Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS.

We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA.https://t.co/mnUnwGOQdx

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 14, 2025

Rasool raised the ire of the American government when he referred to Vice President JD Vance’s meeting with a far-right German politician and Elon Musk’s interventions in UK politics, accusing President Donald Trump of pushing a global white supremacist agenda.

He made the remarks during a webinar hosted by the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection.

Tensions have been boiling between the two countries due to differences over some policies, including South Africa’s Expropriation Act.

International relations expert, Professor Siphamandla Zondi, has described Rasool’s expulsion as a reactionary stunt that could have been handled differently.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government’s priority is improving the relations between South Africa and the United States.

The President says he expects Rasool to give a full report on the situation at hand, as tensions between Washington and Pretoria continue to simmer.

Ramaphosa has also assured South Africans that government is working hard to remedy the situation.

We have noted the displeasure of the US with regards to remarks made by Ambassador Rasool. Engagements with the US Government are ongoing. pic.twitter.com/tW2ZvE0ABX

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) March 17, 2025

Cosatu in the Western Cape has meanwhile called for a tit for tat strategy, urging the government to also expel the US ambassador in SA.

Provincial Cosatu secretary, Malvern De Bruyn, says the labour federation will warmly welcomed the former ambassador with open arms.

The South African Federation of Trade Union (Saftu) has also condemned the expulsion, describing it as a blatant attack on South Africa’s sovereignty.

Who is race baiting between Donald Trump and apartheid racist victim Ebrahim Rasool?

United States: Policies and Actions Targeting Minorities
•Immigration Policies: From his first week in office, Trump pursued hardline measures targeting immigrants from Muslim-majority and…

— Zwelinzima Vavi (@Zwelinzima1) March 16, 2025

Other political parties have also weighed in on the issue, including the Economic Freedom Fighters.

The red berets slam the expulsion as opportunistic as the US wants to appoint Joel Pollak a new ambassador to SA, who was also seen meeting with lobby groups AfriForum and Solidarity during the group’s recent visit to Washington.

EFF Statement On The Expulsion Of The South African Ambassador To The USA.

We note that the U.S is in the process of appointing a new ambassador to South Africa and among the contenders is a white supremacist, race baiter known as Joel Pollak a former speech writer for leader… pic.twitter.com/r9B5BUsEVy

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) March 15, 2025

Build One SA leader, Mmusi Maimane, says government needs to find a better solution to engage the US.

We need a responsible ambassador who understands the stakes. https://t.co/XwmbD41BP4

— Mmusi Maimane MP (@MmusiMaimane) March 17, 2025

South Africans have expressed their opinions on the matter.

Not Ambassador Rasool and racist and thug in one sentence. No ways. He is a dedicated and exemplary South African.

— Sbosh (@kittrishh) March 17, 2025

If you don’t like Rasool, then Rasool is A OK, with me.

Stay out of Africa, please.

Keep the filth and and evil of your racism, drugs, child pornography and violence in the US and especially dysfunctional Florida.

— john el-amin (@realloudvoice) March 17, 2025

Mr. Rasool was right. There’s a nationalist agenda at work in Trump’s cabinet. It’s clear as day.

White Afrikaaners are welcomed at the table while official SA delegates can’t even get an email response.

Btw, illegal brown and black immigrants are being deported. 1+1 =?

— Peace Nation (@peacenationone) March 17, 2025

You trying so hard to get the ambassador post why don’t they appoint you so we can quickly get rid of you like you got rid of Rasool.. You even annoying with your daily lies broer

— Pikani Manganye (@Pikani1) March 17, 2025

Stop blaming Rasool. Blame @afriforum, @ErnstRoets and @kalliekriel for putting us in the limelight. They’re the ones who’ve lied and lied and lied. Rasool spoke the truth. And truth should always be supported. No matter the consequence.

— Tracey Lomax-Nixon 🇿🇦🇵🇸🇮🇪 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@LoudMouthedChic) March 16, 2025

However, some believe Rasool was out of order.

Stop, you look weak and pathetic with that statement. They don’t need RSA and as South Africans on the ground we don’t need them. Mr president just stop. Make their ambassador persona non grata just as they’ve done Rasool.

— Strategist (@intricatemoves) March 17, 2025

Rasool should be charged with Treason. Spewing his own narrative without consideration for the impact on South Africa.

Give him a pork chop and a whiskey.

— Doug Billson (@DougBillson) March 17, 2025