Latest news with #Jonas
IOL News
a day ago
- Business
- IOL News
Mcebisi Jonas urges South Africa to adapt its foreign policy in response to global economic shifts
Mcebisi Jonas urges Africa to harness its demographic advantage and reform trade policies, warning that rising protectionism and global shifts require bold, coordinated action to secure the continent's economic future. South Africa and the African continent must confront current global economic shifts head-on with a clear-eyed, values-driven, and pragmatic foreign policy that repositions Africa at the centre of global trade and diplomacy, said Mcebisi Jonas, special envoy to the United States. Speaking at a seminar hosted by the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation on Tuesday, Jonas urged a clear-eyed approach to national interest and a united national vision as the world grapples with imminent US tariffs set to take effect on August 1st. He called for reform of multilateral cooperation and stronger partnerships for development, stating that the global crisis presents 'an opportunity for change.' He urged South Africa and the continent to take advantage of its demographic edge as the world's youth population increasingly shifts toward Africa. 'By the middle of the century, Africans will number 2.5 billion out of the world's population of 10 billion,' he said. 'Of course, the question would be, what do we do with that demographic dividend?' ''The wave of the future must certainly be African," he said, but warned that the narrative of Africa rising has been "severely dented.' Jonas pointed to a combination of debt distress, declining commodity prices, and slowing global growth as key contributors to the continent's economic fragility. Amid these challenges, he warned that increased protectionism, such as uncertainty around AGOA and the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, could severely restrict Africa's access to global markets. 'Increased protectionism threatens an abrupt end to market access, including the possible future of AGOA and the spectre of European Union's CBOM tariffs,' he said.
Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
With Mcebisi Jonas in limbo, SA is dangerously exposed to false US narratives
New challenges have emerged for South Africa's bilateral relations with the US after the House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee passed a resolution calling for a full review of the relationship, which must now pass the House itself. In this context, and amid the little visible progress made by South Africa's special envoy to the US, Mcebisi Jonas, it is particularly concerning that Pretoria still finds itself without a fully accredited ambassador in Washington. Jonas' appointment was intended to stabilise relations after the dramatic expulsion of Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool before the appointment of a new ambassador. However, while Jonas is an experienced and credible figure, well versed in statecraft and economic diplomacy, even the most qualified envoy cannot act if they are not granted access — and by most accounts, Jonas has been unable to even enter the US. Multiple sources have reported that Jonas was denied a diplomatic visa by Washington, effectively grounding the very individual meant to serve as Pretoria's bridge-builder. US officials have been silent on the matter, while South Africa's Presidency has neither confirmed nor denied the reports, but has insisted Jonas is working 'behind the scenes'. This is useful, but diplomacy does not occur behind closed doors alone; it requires presence, visibility, and access. This is especially true in a place like Washington, where decisions are often influenced through informal networking as much as they are through formal negotiation. At the same time the US-South Africa trade relationship and notably our membership of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, Agoa, which enables exporters preferential access to the US market, is also under threat. The Trump administration has been clear about its intention to impose sweeping tariffs on countries across the board, and signalled that Agoa renewal is by no means guaranteed. Key sectors face potentially devastating consequences. Averting further escalation South Africa has proposed a framework agreement to avert further escalation, but implementation requires intensive, high-level engagement in Washington. The issue is not that Jonas lacks competence, but rather that the current arrangement is structurally flawed. A special envoy denied entry to the country he is meant to engage cannot serve as the country's effective diplomatic point person. This is not a reflection on Jonas, but on the untenability of his position. Pretoria must thus urgently consider appointing a new, formally accredited ambassador to the United States — someone acceptable to Washington, with the diplomatic standing to be received at the appropriate levels, and with the political dexterity to navigate what has become an unusually hostile climate. There is precedent for special envoys playing useful behind-the-scenes roles, but these are typically complementary to, not substitutes for, formal diplomatic channels. South Africa's decision not to rush a new appointment may have been calculated. Given the acrimony surrounding Rasool's expulsion, Pretoria has probably sought to avoid appearing to capitulate or endorse the basis for his removal. But that moment has passed. The longer the post remains vacant, the more likely South Africa's absence is interpreted not as defiance, but as disengagement. Ultimately, it sends the wrong signal to its allies, adversaries, and the South African public. It also leaves South Africa dangerously exposed to narratives it cannot contest in real time. US right-wing media and several lawmakers have infamously amplified unfounded claims of a 'white genocide' in South Africa, which then not only entered mainstream discourse but also shaped US policy, culminating in the recent arrival of Afrikaner 'refugees' in the US. Without a strong and present ambassador to push back forcefully, this kind of distortion risks calcifying into accepted wisdom among Washington decision-makers, with South Africa becoming an ideological talking point in a wider culture war it never intended to join. Beyond managing crises, a new ambassador would also be important in shaping what remains salvageable in the bilateral relationship. The US remains a vital trade and investment partner. And Washington, despite its flaws, is still a power that can make, or break, international norms (at least for now). Pretoria has made clear that it will not be bullied into submission, which is both consistent with the ANC's post-liberation foreign policy and broadly defensible in a world where smaller states must assert their sovereignty. But resistance should not and does not mean retreat — strategic diplomacy requires being both principled and present. Re-engagement with Washington should not have to translate into abandoning South Africa's position on multipolarity or Palestine or its relationship with BRICS+, but does mean ensuring these positions are articulated clearly and defended robustly in the arenas that matter. Right now, that defence is not happening. It cannot happen without someone physically in the room. Good faith If the US administration had no ambassador in Pretoria for six months while threatening trade sanctions, few would interpret it as a gesture of good faith. The same logic applies in reverse. The appointment of a new ambassador won't resolve all points of tension. But it will signal seriousness, restore basic diplomatic protocol, and could help in reclaiming some narrative agency. It would also give South Africa the ability to engage Congress, the State Department, and US civil society on its own terms, rather than as a passive subject of increasingly hostile debate. This is not about capitulation. It is about capacity. Pretoria cannot afford to appear adrift. Now is the time to fill that post in Washington to counter those speaking in our place. DM
The South African
4 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Boland mourns player's tragic death after club rugby game
The Boland Rugby Union has expressed heartbreak over the passing of James Jonas, a Kleinmond RFC player who died on Saturday, 26 July. Jonas, 44, collapsed after playing for Kleinmond against his hometown team, Genadendal RFC, in a regional fixture in the Overberg. The first team match between the two clubs was immediately cancelled out of respect for Jonas and his grieving family. A beloved figure in Boland club rugby, Jonas was known for his deep connection to both Kleinmond and Genadendal communities. He attended school in Genadendal before representing Kleinmond with unwavering loyalty throughout his playing career. Jonas' – whose wife and two children were present at the ground on Saturday – sudden passing has sent shockwaves through the Boland rugby landscape, uniting rival communities in shared grief and remembrance. The Boland Rugby Union extended condolences to Jonas's family, his teammates, and the communities of Kleinmond and Genadendal. The union's president Bennie van Rooi said Jonas left a lasting legacy. 'Our hearts are heavy over the loss of one of our own,' Van Rooi said in a statement released Saturday afternoon. 'We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, children, family, and all who loved him. May they find comfort in his legacy and the memory of his unwavering spirit.' Kleinmond RFC chairman Basil Swartz described Jonas as a humble, loyal man who gave everything every time he wore the club's jersey. 'James was a true rugby player,' said Swartz. 'He leaves behind a void that will be difficult for anyone to fill.' 'Our club mourns together with his family and our rugby brothers from Genadendal. We will remember him as a man of integrity, dedication, and true sportsmanship. Support is being offered to those affected, and a memorial is expected to be planned by the club and local union. By leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Business Insider
19-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Lucid Stock (LCID): Morgan Stanley Sees ‘Strategic Opportunities' in Uber Deal Ahead of Q2 Results
Luxury electric vehicle (EV) maker Lucid Group (LCID) will report its Q2 results on August 6. The stock gained over 36% on Thursday after the company announced a new partnership with Uber (UBER) and autonomous tech startup Nuro. The three companies plan to deploy 20,000 Lucid Gravity SUVs, equipped with Nuro's self-driving technology, on Uber's network over the next six years. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. Following the news, Top Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas reiterated a Hold rating on Lucid with a $3.00 price target. Four-star analyst Adam Jonas believes the Uber-Nuro deal shows that Lucid is expanding its focus beyond EVs and starting to pursue 'AI-enabled autonomy' through strategic partnerships. Analyst Sees Long-Term Value in the Uber Deal Jonas highlighted Lucid's upcoming Gravity SUV as a key part of the company's next growth phase. He believes the deal shows Lucid's potential to play a bigger role in the AI and self-driving space. As part of the deal, Uber will invest $300 million in Lucid. While the amount is relatively small compared to Lucid's ongoing cash needs, Jonas believes it could provide short-term support as Lucid works to ramp up Gravity production. Although Morgan Stanley remains cautious on the stock, the firm views the deal as an important step that could lead to more partnerships in AI, EV technology, and global markets, helping Lucid strengthen its position in the fast-growing autonomous driving space. What's Ahead for Lucid Stock? Looking ahead into the Q2 earnings season, Wall Street forecasts a Q2 2025 loss of $0.22 per share, an improvement from the $0.34 per share loss in the same quarter last year. Meanwhile, revenues are expected to rise by 41% from the same quarter last year, reaching $283.2 million, according to data from the TipRanks Forecast page. Investors will be watching closely for updates on Gravity production, spending levels, and any early signs of revenue growth tied to these new partnerships. Is LCID Stock a Buy? The stock of Lucid Group has a consensus Hold rating among ten Wall Street analysts. That rating is currently based on one Buy, eight Hold, and one Sell recommendations issued in the past three months. The average LCID price target of $2.70 implies 13.46% downside from current levels.
The Star
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Kevin Jonas says he lost 90% of his fortune amid Jonas Brothers hiatus
Photo: Kevin Jonas/Instagram Kevin Jonas (pic) has revealed he lost 'most of' his money nearly a decade ago, following the Jonas Brothers' 2013 band break-up. The 37-year-old New Jersey native and eldest JoBro appeared with his brothers this week on Lewis Howes' The School Of Greatness podcast, where he said he was left with just 10% of his fortune mere years into their hiatus. 'I've seen the beginning of financial success, not knowing what money really was and understanding it to … losing almost all of it,' Jonas said, attributing the latter to 'a bad business deal.' Jonas explained that roughly nine years ago, he lost nearly all of his money after investing the bulk into 'a bunch of property and doing other things and I was building at the time.' 'Sadly, it just wasn't the right partnership,' Jonas said, noting he couldn't get 'too much into' the details of the deal. 'We had a second shot, bite at the apple, with the band coming back together,' he added of their 2019 reunion. 'And it actually was kind of fortuitous in a way. I learned this lesson, never wanted to learn it but I did.' The group — which also includes brothers Joe, 35, and Nick, 32 — is currently gearing up for the release of its new album, Greetings From Your Hometown , dropping Aug 8, and a North American tour kicking off two days later. – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service
