South Africa has appointed Roelf Meyer, a former apartheid-era minister and chief negotiator, as its next ambassador to the United States, local media reported on Wednesday.
Meyer is widely known for his role in talks that helped end white minority rule in South Africa during the early 1990s, working alongside African National Congress leaders in negotiations that paved the way for democratic elections in 1994.
South Africa has been without an ambassador in Washington, D.C., since March 2025, when the United States expelled then-envoy Ebrahim Rasool following remarks critical of the MAGA movement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Rasool of being a “race-baiting politician” in a post on social media, linking to a conservative news report that detailed a webinar hosted by a South African think tank.
Former President Donald Trump also issued an executive order freezing most US foreign aid to South Africa, citing broader disputes over international legal actions and domestic policy reforms.
Diplomatic context amid strained US ties
Meyer, 78, is a seasoned negotiator who served in the apartheid-era National Party government before later joining the African National Congress in 2006.
He rose to prominence in the 1990s as chief negotiator in talks between the National Party and the ANC that led to the end of apartheid and South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994.
As the chief negotiator, Meyer worked closely with Cyril Ramaphosa, who was then an ANC negotiator and now serves as South Africa’s president.
According to the South African presidency, Meyer will assume the post once all diplomatic protocols are completed in Washington.
He is expected to present his credentials to the US State Department following standard diplomatic procedures before formally taking up the role.
Relations between Washington and Pretoria have remained tense in recent years over trade disputes, foreign policy differences and diverging positions on conflicts in the Middle East and global governance.
South African officials say the appointment of Meyer is aimed at stabilizing diplomatic channels and reopening high-level engagement after months of strained communication.
Roelf Meyer’s political career has often been cited as an example of pragmatic negotiation during South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy.
The South African presidency has not provided an exact date for when Meyer will officially begin his diplomatic posting in Washington.
South Africa’s foreign policy under President Cyril Ramaphosa has included a prominent legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, which has drawn strong reactions from US political figures and lawmakers.
US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have previously criticized some of Pretoria’s foreign policy positions, while South African officials have defended their stance as consistent with international law and domestic priorities.
The appointment is expected to move through standard diplomatic accreditation procedures in Washington, including approval from the US State Department and the presentation of credentials. Once finalized, Meyer will formally assume duties as ambassador, representing South Africa’s interests in bilateral relations, trade discussions and multilateral cooperation. Analysts say the move reflects Pretoria’s attempt to reset ties with Washington after months of political friction and public criticism.
The embassy transition comes at a time when both countries are navigating complex debates over human rights, migration policy and global security priorities and diplomatic coordination efforts underway now continuing.
