Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool has earned the stamp as a true patriot of South Africa after questioning the United States President Donald Trump. His actions have resulted in his expulsion from the US, and mzansi has a lot to say about the matter.
Tensions between South Africa and the United States continue to escalate significantly and have reached what some argue to be the lowest point in recent history. The tensions have been characterised by issues such as land reform disputes, where the Trump administration has openly criticised the Expropriation Bill, as well as South Africa’s foreign policy as far as the stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
It appears that the battle between these two nations is far from over as South Africa’s ambassador Ebrahim Rasool has been declared as “persona non grata” by the United States Secretary of State, and is facing expulsion from the country just two months after assuming his role in Washington. Furthermore, Ebrahim was labelled a “race-baiting politician who hates America and hates POTUS,” by the Secretary of State.
Comments made by Ebrahim during a webinar hosted by the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (Mistra) appear to be the primary reason for his expulsion. During this seminar, the ambassador compared Donald Trump’s ‘Make America Great Again’ (MAGA) agenda to a white supremacist response to the demographic shifts occurring in the United States.
When an ambassador opens his mouth, he represents 60mil SAns back home.
You don’t use you subjective opinion to justify race baiting as a diplomat.Ebrahim Rasool deserved what happened to him.
We should do to the ANC what the US did to silent “R”asool.pic.twitter.com/Nu0BRikyqe— Heinz (@HeinzZzA) March 16, 2025
The South African presidency has revealed that it notes Ebrahim’s expulsion and has urged all impacted stakeholders to uphold diplomatic decorum when engaging on the matter.
“South Africa remains committed to building a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States of America,” the statement reads.
PRESIDENCY NOTES RASOOL EXPULSION
The Presidency has noted the regrettable expulsion of South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States of America, Mr. Ebrahim Rasool.
The Presidency urges all relevant and impacted stakeholders to maintain the established diplomatic decorum in…
— The Presidency ?? (@PresidencyZA) March 15, 2025
Some South African citizens have taken to social media to commend Ebrahim for jumping on the wagon and continuing to stand on business against the United States and Donald Trump, similarly to his compatriots as tensions continue to escalate. These users have gone to the extent of suggesting that the South African embassy in the United States shut down permanently, and the same for the United States embassy on this side as matters have reached a point of no return between the countries.
We stand with Ebrahim Rasool.
Shut down the USA embassy and kick out all Americans. pic.twitter.com/vYxxK8aoMt
— ? Jenna_?? ?? ?? (@Jenna_original2) March 15, 2025
We stand with Ebrahim Rasool
Trump must go to hell !!!Joel Pollak is a son bitch!! ! pic.twitter.com/wzDE63pE8m
— MEHMET VEFA DAG (@AFRICANDEMOC) March 15, 2025
However, the opposing side has condemned Ebrahim and has labelled him the villain in this story. According to these users, it is not Ebrahim’s place as an ambassador to bash or speak ill of his host country and have believe that the expulsion is merely a consequence of his questionable actions.
This video is shocking. Instead of advocating for the interests of South Africa’s people in the U.S., Ebrahim Rasool chose to insult President @realDonaldTrump and the U.S. by accusing them of white “supremacy”. As a deployed ANC cadre, Rasool, unfortunately, acted like many… pic.twitter.com/fJO1IR2A3T
— Kallie Kriel (@kalliekriel) March 16, 2025
When an ambassador opens his mouth, he represents 60mil SAns back home.
You don’t use you subjective opinion to justify race baiting as a diplomat.Ebrahim Rasool deserved what happened to him.
We should do to the ANC what the US did to silent “R”asool.pic.twitter.com/Nu0BRikyqe— Heinz (@HeinzZzA) March 16, 2025
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