Former general secretary of Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), Mbhazima Shilowa believes the nomination and anticipated assignment of a new United States ambassador to South Africa is a significant step in facilitating solid engagements within the two nations.
IOL reported on Tuesday that the Trump administration has officially nominated Leo Brent Bozell III, a veteran conservative media commentator and political activist, for the pivotal role of United States ambassador to South Africa.
The announcement was made public on Tuesday via the official website of the US Congress, igniting discussions around Bozell's nomination and its implications for US-South Africa relations.
Speaking to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika on Wednesday, Shilowa, who is also former premier of Gauteng said if Bozell gets confirmed and deployed, the ongoing engagements would receive a boost.
"What me and you say on X, or what other people say on X and YouTube is not really a response to them (the Trump administration). I think the only time the country will be able to respond is when they have an audience with someone from the US administration, whether it is Trump, his envoy, his representative or the minister of State. Only then will we be in a better position to say just spell out what your issues are so that we do not second-guess you," said Shilowa.
"Which is why, regardless of his history would be, the new ambassador (Bozell), if he is confirmed by Congress or the Senate, and if he comes here and is accredited, I think that would be the best way in which Trump will send his message to us, and say, forget what we say everyday, this is what our concerns are. We will tell them, this is possible, and that is not possible.
"At the moment, we just have to do a wait and see game," he said.
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Shilowa added that it would not be wise for South Africa to rush the process of selecting an envoy to represent Pretoria in Washington DC, replacing expelled ambassador Ebrahim Rasool.
As the diplomatic spat between US and South Africa continues to degenerate, IOL reported over the weekend that former South African ambassador to US, Rasool arrived in Cape Town on Sunday following his expulsion.
The former ambassador was greeted as a hero and was surrounded by South Africans and family members.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL