President Cyril Ramaphosa said he is expecting a full report from the expelled ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool. The President was answering journalists' questions today at the Bana Pele Early Childhood Development Leadership Summit in Braamfontein, in Johannesburg, where he delivered a keynote address.

FULL REPORT EXPECTED

Ramaphosa confirmed that Rasool would be coming back to South Africa soon after he was given until Friday, 21 March, to leave America after he was declared a persona non grata by the US State Department. His privileges and immunities have also been withdrawn. "Ebrahim Rasool has ruled that he is no longer acceptable in the US, and he is going to come back and give me a full report. So, I will wait for a full report from him. But at the same time, we have noted the displeasure that has been expressed by the US, particularly about the remarks he made,' Ramaphosa said.

RELATIONSHIP WITH AMERICA IMPORTANT 

The President said that they are already engaging with the US diplomatically. "Improving our relationship with America is a priority for us as they are our second largest trading partner after China. We will therefore see, as we must, to ensure that our relations are on a good footing, which is one thing we do with all countries in the world. South Africa always seeks to have good relations with all countries in the world. We don't have enemies,' Ramaphosa said.

NOT BEING BLUE-TICKED

Asked if the US has been ignoring South Africa, Ramaphosa said the country cannot be ignored as it is an important player in the United States, as the United States is to South Africa. "We are not being blue-ticked by America; we cannot be ignored. We are continuing to engage with them, and as it is now, a great deal of progress has been made by our ambassador in straightening out the path to ensure that there is meaningful engagement at the diplomatic level," he said. The president called Rasool's expulsion a hiccup. "This is a hiccup that we are working on straightening out. The US has sent a message to inform us about the action they have taken, and this shows that they have formalised the communication, and we will formally engage with them with respect for them and Trump as well.'