Businesses in South Africa have welcomed the appointment of Roelf Meyer as the country’s next ambassador to the US.
President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed his ally to the next ambassador to the US following the expulsion of Ebrahim Rasool as ambassador last year.
Ramaphosa worked closely with Meyer, a former member of the National Party, during negotiations leading up to South Africa’s 1994 democratic elections.
His appointment comes at a tense time between South Africa and the US, with the latest blow being that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana did not receive accreditation for the G20 in Miami this year.
Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA), a business lobby group that represents Amazon, Capitec, Woolworths, Naspers, Standard Bank, Discovery, Vodacom and many more, welcomed the appointment.
BLSA said that Meyer’s commitment to dialogue, reconciliation, and nation-building helped lay the foundation for South Africa’s democracy.
It added that Meyer has demonstrated the maturity and political acumen needed to enhance and strengthen ties between South Africa and the United States.
“Meyer is the right adult to place in the room to ensure we arrest any potential erosion in the relationship between Washington and Pretoria,” said BLSA CEO Busisiwe Mavuso.
Mavuso noted that the US is a key trading partner for South Africa. In addition to being a major export market, it is a source of foreign investment and a provider of employment opportunities.
There are roughly 600 American companies operating in South Africa, many of which use South Africa as a base for broader regional operations.
BLSA said that South Africa’s foreign policy must be evaluated through the lens of the country’s long-term economic and developmental interests.
“BLSA and its members stand ready to support Mr Meyer in his efforts to strengthen relations with the United States,” said Mavuso.
“We look forward to a new era of collaboration and exploring new opportunities arising from this appointment.”
Long overdue appointment
Government of National Unity member, RISE Mzansi, welcomed the appointment of Meyer, which it said was long overdue, especially with Ramaphosa’s receipt of the US Ambassador Brent Bozell’s credentials.
RISE Mzansi also noted that Meyer’s primary mandate must be economic diplomacy, with the stakes for South African workers and businesses having never been higher.
“Recent diplomatic efforts aim to double this presence to 1,000 companies, which could potentially create another 250,000 jobs in sectors such as technology, finance, and manufacturing,” it said.
“To achieve this, Meyer must skilfully navigate complex tensions, including US–South Africa trade debates and shifting global alliances, to ensure that South Africa remains a sought-after global partner.”
While managing this economic goal, the party said that Meyer must also uphold the moral example of our Constitution.
Although Meyer has extensive experience, RISE Mzansi said Meyer’s performance will be measured against the standards of professionalism and tangible advancement of the local economy.
“We call on him to prioritise the creation of sustainable business opportunities for all South Africans as he represents our nation in Washington,” it said.
