President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Roelf Meyer, a 78-year-old veteran negotiator from South Africa’s apartheid transition, as the country’s ambassador to the United States. The move, announced on April 14, fills a vacancy left by the expulsion of the previous envoy and aims to repair strained relations with Washington under the Trump administration, drawing broad political support alongside some criticism.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on April 14 the appointment of Roelf Meyer as South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, confirming spokesperson Vincent Magwenya’s statement. Meyer, who served as National Party minister of constitutional development, was a key negotiator in the 1990s talks to end apartheid, working alongside Ramaphosa (then ANC chief negotiator) in events like the Groote Schuur talks after Nelson Mandela’s 1990 release and the 1993 negotiations. He later served in Mandela’s multi-party government and now leads the In Transformation Initiative, applying his skills to global conflicts.
South Africa has lacked an ambassador in Washington since Ebrahim Rasool was expelled last year after angering the Trump administration. Officials expect Meyer to depart after formalities, with US acceptance anticipated. The appointment comes amid efforts to stabilise bilateral ties, including trade relations underpinning $15 billion via the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
The move has drawn broad support. United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa praised Meyer as a "strategic leader" with experience hosting US lawmakers, predicting lobbying success in Congress. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula called it a "good and tactically sound" decision. DA spokesperson Ryan Smith described Meyer as a "good pick" for diplomacy, urging focus on trade repair and non-alignment. Good party’s Brett Herron viewed it as "clever appeasement" against US pressures.
Criticism emerged from Afrikaner groups: Freedom Front Plus leader Corné Mulder cited a "huge trust deficit" due to Meyer’s ANC ties; AfriForum’s Kallie Kriel labelled him an "ANC cadre." Action SA’s Herman Mashaba opposed it as compromising sovereignty.
Business leaders welcomed the choice. American Chamber of Commerce CEO Michelle Constant highlighted Meyer’s expertise, while analyst Tony Carroll anticipated a reboot of relations.
