South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa don appoint Roelf Meyer as di kontri new ambassador to di United States. Di announcement come from Ramaphosa spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, wey tell BBC say di appointment go be “immediate”. Meyer, wey be 78 years old, na one of di key mediators wey help end apartheid for South Africa for 1990s.
Di kontri never get top envoy for US since last year when Ebrahim Rasool get expelled. Rasool bin accuse former US President Donald Trump of trying to “project white victimhood as a dog whistle”. Dat one worsen di already strained relationship between di two kontris, especially after Trump return to office last year.
Roelf Meyer play big role as chief representative of di National Party during di apartheid talks. For dat time, Cyril Ramaphosa dey represent di African National Congress (ANC) wey Nelson Mandela lead. Di two men even go fishing trip together and dem form lifelong friendship from dat period.
Meyer bin serve as constitutional affairs minister for di last apartheid government. After dat, he join di government of national unity wey form for 1994 when Mandela become president. He leave just two years later and co-found di United Democratic Movement. Later, Meyer join ANC for 2006.
As white Afrikaner, some people see Meyer as reformist inside National Party. But some right-wing Afrikaners see am as traitor because of him role for di peace talks. President Trump bin claim say Afrikaners dey face genocide and persecution for South Africa – claim wey many people don discredit. Trump even announce pause for aid to South Africa early last year and introduce policy wey welcome Afrikaners as refugees.
Ramaphosa don say e dey “completely false” to claim say “people of a certain race or culture are being targeted for persecution”. Di news of Meyer appointment don get mixed reaction for South Africa. Some people call am politically savvy appointment, while others raise concern about him age.
ANC’s Fikile Mbalula welcome di appointment. But Julius Malema Economic Freedom Fighters party say e dey “politically tone deaf” and “deliberate insult to our democratic struggle”. Right-wing Afrikaner groups like AfriForum and Solidarity Movement give strong criticism.
AfriForum leader Kallie Kriel, for post for X, call Meyer “ANC cadre” wey “history shows that he is someone who is willing to dramatically reposition himself to suit his own personal interests”. Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans say di appointment disappointing, especially because of Meyer age. Di group say di choice risk to deepen existing concerns within Afrikaner community.
Meyer himself don talk about him age before. When dem ask am if he go consider ambassadorial post if Ramaphosa ask, Meyer say: “I don’t think somebody of my age should take on that responsibility at this stage quite frankly. This role is something that demands everyday, hard work in Washington DC.”
But Ramaphosa defend di appointment, say Meyer go “represent South Africa very well”. Di president tell reporters say “Meyer is well attuned with the policies of this country”. Analysts for South Africa broadly welcome Meyer appointment, hail am as positive and “clever, tactical decision”.
Dr Oscar van Heerden, senior research fellow for University of Johannesburg, say selection of white male Afrikaner dey fly “in the face of the lie that there is a white genocide” for South Africa. He highlight Meyer vast experience for government since apartheid era as positive, while downplay concerns about him age.
Van Heerden say Meyer still get him wits about him and get skills for negotiations and dealing with difficult individuals. Dat one go help am interact with Trump administration. He note say biggest hurdle na to make US accept Meyer credentials. He think dat na why dem choose Meyer – because Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio go find difficult to say no.
Meyer appointment come months after Leo Brent Bozell III become new US ambassador to South Africa. Bozell meet Meyer for March and for post for X, say e be “privilege” to “learn more about the work he did to help create South Africa’s democracy”. Last month, South African foreign ministry summon Bozell over comments he make about di kontri justice system.
South Africa Broadcasting Corporation report say Meyer appointment na sign say Pretoria dey aim to improve relations with Washington after “turbulent year”. South Africa don go without diplomatic representation for Washington DC since March 2025, when Trump expel Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool for him criticism of Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.
Marco Rubio accuse Rasool of being “race-baiting politician” wey hate US and Trump. Rubio post link to story by Breitbart wey report talk Rasool give for webinar organised by South African think tank. Rasool talk about Trump administration crackdown on diversity and equity programmes and immigration, and mention possibility of future US where white people no go dey majority again.
Trump last year issue executive order freezing most foreign assistance to South Africa. Dat happen amid South Africa legal action at International Court of Justice over Israel genocide for Gaza and passage of controversial South African law wey aim to correct historic racial disparities for land ownership. Tensions escalate more when Trump launch refugee programme for white South Africans.
Meyer na seasoned negotiator with experience working under pressure. As member of South Africa white Afrikaans minority, he once serve as minister under apartheid Nationalist Party government. He rise to prominence for 1990s, during final days of apartheid, as Nationalist Party hold talks with ANC to end segregation and white minority rule. Di talks pave way for South Africa first democratic elections for 1994.
As chief negotiator, Meyer become acquainted with Cyril Ramaphosa, wey be ANC negotiator for dat time. Meyer go take up post as US ambassador once all protocols complete for Washington DC, according to Ramaphosa office.
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