Zuko Komisa
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially named Roelf Meyer as South Africa’s new ambassador to Washington.
- The role has been vacant since March 2025, following the expulsion of Ebrahim Rasool for criticising the Trump administration.
- Meyer, a veteran negotiator, replaces failed envoy Mcebisi Jonas, who was denied a US visa due to past remarks.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed veteran politician Roelf Meyer as South Africa’s next ambassador to the United States, according to a confirmation from presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.
Meyer (78) is best known for his pivotal role as a chief negotiator during South Africa’s transition to democracy and his previous tenure as Defence Minister.
The appointment aims to restore formal diplomatic leadership in Washington after the post was left vacant on 14 March 2025.
The previous ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, was expelled and declared persona non grata by the US government after making disparaging remarks regarding President Donald Trump’s administration.
In the interim, Ramaphosa had tasked former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas with managing trade and bilateral priorities as a special envoy.
However, this attempt at diplomacy stalled when the US government refused Jonas a diplomatic visa.
The rejection was reportedly based on comments Jonas made in 2020, in which he labelled Trump a “racist” and a “narcissistic right-winger.”
By selecting Meyer a figure seasoned in high-stakes mediation Pretoria looks to stabilise a fractured relationship with its key Western ally.
Meyer’s extensive experience is expected to be vital in navigating the complex political landscape currently defining US-South African relations.
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