Persona non grata’ – US expels SA ambassador Ebrahim Rasool

Loading player...
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared on Friday, 14 March, that South Africa’s ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool was “no longer welcome” in the US, accusing him of being a “race-baiting politician who hates America”. Rasool was expelled barely two months after he arrived in Washington. It was the latest incident in the deterioration of diplomatic ties between Pretoria and Washington after US President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January. Phemelo gets some analysis on the latest developments from International Relations Expert, Ayesha Kajee.
17 Mar 2025 4PM English South Africa Education · Careers

Other recent episodes

ACCES 2026 connects African music to global markets

ACCES 2026 brings more than 700 music industry professionals from over 45 countries to Johannesburg from 28 to 31 October, creating opportunities for artists to build international audiences and connect with global markets. Phemelo is joined in studio by Your Weekly Touch Up co-founder ByLwansta and Star FM Head of…
28 Oct 3PM 25 min

DA’s Tyrone Gray targets Mogale City mayoral seat

DA Mogale City mayoral candidate Tyrone Gray joins Phemelo to discuss his candidacy and plans for the municipality ahead of the local government elections. His priorities include tackling corruption, improving law enforcement coordination, attracting investment, using infrastructure to strengthen service delivery and putting residents at the centre of local government.
28 Oct 2PM 34 min

Oliver and Adelaide Tambo memorial lecture

Phemelo speaks to Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation CEO Natasha Allie about the 2026 Oliver Tambo Memorial Lecture theme, The Mirror, Map and Compass, and how self-awareness, ethical leadership and strategic vision can guide governance, accountability and nation-building in uncertain times.
27 Oct 3PM 7 min

SAMWU vows to continue protest over R5.4bn in City of Joburg benefits

The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) says it will continue its fight for outstanding employee benefits linked to a 2016 agreement with the City of Johannesburg. The dispute escalated on Monday when protests disrupted parts of the city, including the M1 highway, and several union members were arrested. SAMWU…
27 Oct 3PM 17 min

Israel votes in closely contested election

Israelis are voting in a pivotal election, with record turnout reported and neither major political bloc projected to secure the 61 seats needed to form a majority government. The contest is widely viewed as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership, with security and democracy central to the campaign…
27 Oct 3PM 21 min