Rasool Meets Lamola
By Mpho Moloi
The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation announced on Monday that Minister Ronald Lamola met with Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool following his return from the United States. Rasool landed at Cape Town International Airport over the weekend after being expelled by the US government.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Ministry confirmed, “Following the meeting, a formal report will be submitted to the President for his consideration. Pending this, the Ministry or Department will not engage in public engagements on the matter.”
Last week, the Presidency reiterated its commitment to fostering a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States.
Background of the Expulsion
Ebrahim Rasool, who served as South Africa’s ambassador to the US from 2010 to 2015 and was reappointed in January 2025, was declared persona non grata by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on 14 March 2025. The expulsion followed remarks made by Rasool during a February 2025 webinar hosted by the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA). In his address, Rasool cautioned that the traditional approach to US-South Africa relations would be ineffective under President Donald Trump’s administration, stating, “Unless we change our way of speaking to the US and recognizing what is the US—it is not the US of Obama, it is not the US of Clinton, it is a different US—our language must change.” He also highlighted challenges posed by a “fringe white community in South Africa” and a “white diaspora in the White House,” comments that the US deemed inflammatory. 
Secretary Rubio responded by labeling Rasool a “race-baiting politician” and announced his expulsion via social media, a move that some South African officials criticised as lacking proper diplomatic protocol. 
Rasool’s Return and Public Response
Upon his arrival in Cape Town on 20 March 2025, Rasool was met by hundreds of supporters, including members of the African National Congress (ANC), the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), and the Muslim Judicial Council. Addressing the crowd, Rasool expressed no regret over his statements, asserting, “We were analyzing a political phenomenon, not a personality, not a nation, and not even a government.” He emphasized the need to “rebuild and reset the relationship with America,” highlighting the longstanding ties between the two nations.
Cosatu’s Western Cape provincial secretary, Melvin de Brain, condemned the US action, stating, “What happened in America was totally wrong for him to be expelled. They should have called him in and discussed the matter like we did when their ambassador made false statements.” The South African Communist Party (SACP) also voiced support, with provincial secretary Benson commending Rasool for “refusing to submit to right-wing populist authoritarian imperialist forces.”
Government’s Stance and Diplomatic Implications
The South African government has expressed regret over the expulsion but remains committed to maintaining constructive relations with the US. Minister Lamola described the incident as “regrettable” and emphasized the importance of adhering to proper diplomatic channels, noting, “Megaphone & Twitter diplomacy doesn’t work.”  
The expulsion has raised concerns about potential impacts on trade agreements such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and funding for programs like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Political analyst Dr. Siphamandla Zondi remarked, “This is a low point in our diplomatic ties. The US sees Rasool’s remarks as a challenge, and South Africa must now navigate the economic consequences carefully.”
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