Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
As diplomatic tensions simmer between the US and South Africa, the appointment of a veteran negotiator as ambassador signals a cautious effort to mend frayed relations.Washington TodaySouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Roelf Meyer, a former member of the National Party that introduced apartheid, as the country’s new ambassador to the United States. Meyer, 78, is regarded as one of the architects of South Africa’s democratic transition and was a chief negotiator representing the white minority during the talks that led to the end of apartheid. His appointment comes at a difficult time in US-South Africa relations, with the Trump administration previously accusing the South African government of persecuting Afrikaner farmers.
Why it matters
The appointment of Meyer, an Afrikaner, as ambassador to the US under the Trump administration is seen as a strategic move by Ramaphosa to navigate the rocky relationship between the two countries. Meyer’s background as a former National Party member who later joined the ANC could be viewed as controversial, but Ramaphosa is likely hoping his experience in negotiating the end of apartheid will help bridge divides with the US.
The details
Roelf Meyer, 78, was a chief negotiator representing South Africa’s white minority rulers during the talks that led to the end of apartheid. He later joined Nelson Mandela’s first unity government cabinet as constitutional development minister from 1994 to 1996 before retiring from frontline politics in 2000. Meyer’s appointment comes after the Trump administration expelled South Africa’s previous ambassador last year following the ambassador’s criticism of Trump’s ‘white supremacist’ movement.
- In March 2025, South Africa’s former ambassador to the US was expelled by the Trump administration.
- Roelf Meyer’s appointment as the new ambassador is effective immediately, though he still needs to complete administrative protocols in Washington.
The players
Cyril Ramaphosa
The current President of South Africa who appointed Roelf Meyer as the country’s new ambassador to the United States.
Roelf Meyer
A 78-year-old former member of South Africa’s National Party who helped negotiate the end of apartheid and is now appointed as the country’s new ambassador to the US.
Ebrahim Rasool
South Africa’s previous ambassador to the US who was declared persona non grata by the Trump administration last year after accusing Trump of leading a ‘white supremacist’ movement.
Kallie Kriel
A representative of the conservative Afrikaner group AfriForum who criticized Meyer’s appointment, saying South Africa needs a ‘principled ambassador’ not another ‘ANC-aligned deployment’.
Economic Freedom Fighters
A far-left political party in the South African government that rejected Meyer’s appointment, accusing Ramaphosa of attempting to appease ‘white power structures’ in the US.
Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›
What they’re saying
“South Africa needs a ‘principled ambassador’ capable of engaging the U.S. in the country’s best interests, not another ‘A.N.C.-aligned deployment.’”
— Kallie Kriel, Representative of AfriForum
“Ramaphosa was attempting to appease ‘white power structures’ in the U.S. by selecting a figure who he thought would be more acceptable to Trump officials in Washington.”
— Economic Freedom Fighters, Political party
What’s next
Meyer will be deployed to Washington as soon as all administrative protocols have been completed.
The takeaway
The appointment of Roelf Meyer, a veteran negotiator who helped end apartheid, as South Africa’s new ambassador to the US under the Trump administration reflects Ramaphosa’s efforts to navigate the rocky relationship between the two countries and find common ground despite their political differences.
