Who is Roelf Meyer, South Africa’s new ambassador to the US?

In April 2026, South Africa appointed Roelf Meyer, a former minister and negotiator from the apartheid era, as its new ambassador to the United States. The appointment, made by President Cyril Ramaphosa, aims to mend strained relations between the two countries following the expulsion of the previous ambassador in March 2025. Meyer, a member of the Afrikaner community, replaces Ebrahim Rasool, who was removed after criticizing Donald Trump. Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated since 2024, with the US criticizing South Africa's affirmative action policies and its relationship with Iran, as well as South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the ICJ. The appointment of Meyer is intended to improve diplomatic ties after a turbulent period.

South Africa has appointed Roelf Meyer, a former negotiator who helped end apartheid, as its new ambassador to the US. The appointment aims to repair strained relations between the two countries after the previous ambassador was expelled in March 2025 for criticizing the Trump administration. Since Donald Trump's second term began, the US president has accused South Africa of racial discrimination against white Afrikaners and prioritized white South African refugees. Meyer, an Afrikaner who joined the ANC in 2006, was a key figure in negotiating the transition to democracy with Cyril Ramaphosa, now South Africa's president. Meyer has stated the importance of restoring the relationship with the US, which he believes has been neglected.