Former DA leader Tony Leon, ambassador to several South American countries, is tipped to represent South African affairs in the US after former ambassador Ebrahim Rasool was expelled following his comments about President Trump.
But will the retired politician heed the call?
TONY LEON RESPONDS TO NEW AMBASSADOR ROLE
Speaking to eNCA, Tony Leon discussed the Trump administration’s sacking of Ebrahim Rasool over his controversial comments about President Trump.
Rasool was recently declared a “person no grata” and was ordered to return home, where he was met with a hero’s welcome at OR International Airport this week.
In an interview with media outlet Breitbart, Rasool accused Trump of “leading a white supremacist movement” through his “Make America Great Again” campaign. He also suggested that Trump was mobilising South African Afrikaners to join his global initiative.
Tony Leon said of the “diplomatic fallout” with the US: “An ambassador is not sent abroad to give in to his personal opinions. He is there to represent his country, its interests, and its agenda.”
He added of Rasool: “He was acting outside of his instructions.”
Tony then responded to former DA leader Helen Zille’s nomination for him to take up the ow vacant US Ambassador role. The former Ambassador to Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay responded: “Probably not. I’m not seeking a job.
“I am seeking that South Africa should put its best foot forward and decide its going to subordinate some of its policies that aren’t advancing economic growth creation and getting down to job employment”.
WHERE IS FORMER DA LEADER NOW?
Tony Leon’s decision to turn down the US Ambassador role is undoubtedly due to his busy career in the private sector.
Here is what he is up to now…
Life after politics
Since leaving politics, Tony has undertaken various fellowships at the Cato Institute Center for Liberty and Global Prosperity in Washington, Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study.
He has also authored several books of his views on politics and current affairs, as well as his biography On The Contrary. He has also been a columnist for several media houses like Business Day and the Sunday Times.
In 2013, Tony founded the PR film Resolve Communications, which deals with strategic communications, crisis management, and lobbying. He also founded the advisory firm K2 Business Intelligence.
Family life
In 2000, Tony Leon married his Israeli wife Michal Even-Zahav in a Jewish marriage ceremony at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town.
Tony is a hands-on stepdad to Michal’s two children and is also a grandfather.
DO YOU THINK TONY LEON IS THE RIGHT CANDIDATE TO REPLACE EMBRAHIM RASOOL?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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