South Africa Appoints Roelf Meyer as US Ambassador

South Africa has appointed Roelf Meyer, a former apartheid-era negotiator, as its new ambassador to the United States. This appointment comes after a year without diplomatic representation in Washington following the expulsion of Ebrahim Rasool in March 2025.

The move is seen as an attempt by President Cyril Ramaphosa to mend strained ties with the US under President Donald Trump's administration. Meyer, a white Afrikaner and former minister in the apartheid government, played a key role in negotiating the end of apartheid alongside Ramaphosa.

Meyer's appointment has sparked mixed reactions. The opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) criticized it as an attempt to appease Trump's 'white supremacist whims,' while analysts have generally welcomed Meyer's diplomatic experience and negotiation skills, according to BBC and The Guardian. Tensions between the two countries have escalated over issues such as racial policies in South Africa and its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

Meyer's age has also been a point of contention. At 78, some critics argue that his appointment overlooks younger diplomats who could represent South Africa internationally. However, supporters highlight Meyer's extensive experience in government and peace processes around the world as valuable assets for this role, according to The Guardian.

The controversy surrounding Meyer's appointment has been further highlighted by various political factions. Some on the left view him as a symbol of the apartheid regime and white capital, while others see his move to join the ANC in 2006 as complicit in its corruption. The right-wing faction criticizes his liberal views and sees his defection to the ANC as treasonous. Despite these controversies, Meyer's diplomatic skills are seen as valuable in navigating both South African politics and international relations.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomed the move, suggesting that Meyer should prioritize repairing South Africa’s trade relationship with the US. The ANC called it a 'masterstroke strategic deployment,' while Afrikaner organizations like AfriForum argued that Meyer is a divisive figure among Afrikaners and cannot be trusted with their interests, which align closely with Trump's views.

Critics such as ActionSA demanded Ramaphosa undo the appointment, calling it a compromise of South Africa’s freedom. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula suggested that Meyer's appointment would help dispel the 'white genocide' narrative promoted by AfriForum and embraced by the Trump administration.