South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has chosen Roelf Meyer, a former chief government negotiator during talks to end white minority rule in the 1990s, to be his country’s next ambassador to the United States.
“I can confirm that President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Mr Roelf Meyer as South Africa’s Ambassador to the US,” Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told Reuters
Meyer, who later served in the unity government of Nelson Mandela, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
South Africa has not had an ambassador in Washington since its last one, Ebrahim Rasool, was expelled in March 2025 after angering the Trump administration.
Relations between Washington and Pretoria have been tense during President Donald Trump’s second term.
Trump has made false claims about the persecution of South Africa’s white Afrikaner minority, and created a refugee programme for them — which Pretoria regards as a preferential immigration scheme for whites.
You’ve reached your free article limit
Subscribe to enjoy unlimited access to trusted journalism. Cancel anytime.
Subscribe nowNeed help? molokom@insidepolitic.co.za
