Lamola in the US to improve strained diplomatic relations amid latest visa restrictions - EWN

International Relations Minister Ronald lamola is currently in the United States to engage with policymakers and improve strained diplomatic relations.

Lamola arrived in Washington DC on Thursday for a working visit and to hold engagements with key decision makers and also hold several bilateral meetings diplomats and us lawmakers.

His arrival in the country comes on the heels of stricter visa regulations targeting South African government officials the US said played a part in creating transformation laws like land expropriation without compensation.

Lamola’s visit comes not long after his counterpart Marco Rubio announced new restrictions on South Africa.

Rubio said that the new visa regime was over the country’s transformation policies as well as unfounded claims of a persecution of Afrikaners and minority groups.

The announcement came as a surprise as some observers felt diplomatic relations between the two countries were improving.

But former ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool said that there was never any improvement.

"Anyone who thinks there’s been an improvement over the last two years especially since Donald Trump has been in power is living in a fool’s paradise."

In between trying to mend diplomatic relations, Lamola will also lead South Africa’s delegation to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly which is taking place in New York from the 18 to 28 September.