South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has named Roelf Meyer, a former negotiator during the apartheid era, to serve as the nation's ambassador to the United States. This appointment fills the vacant ambassadorial post after the previous South African envoy was expelled from the US.
The country has been without a senior diplomatic representative in the US since Ebrahim Rasool was expelled last year. Rasool had made accusations against former President Donald Trump, which reportedly strained bilateral relations. These tensions were further exacerbated by Trump's return to office.
Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for President Ramaphosa, confirmed the appointment, stating that it would take effect "immediately."
Meyer played a crucial role as a chief mediator in the 1990s, working alongside Ramaphosa to dismantle the apartheid system. Meyer represented the National Party, the architects of apartheid, while Ramaphosa represented the African National Congress (ANC), led by Nelson Mandela. During this pivotal period, Meyer and Ramaphosa developed a working relationship and a lasting friendship, reportedly stemming from a shared fishing trip.
Esther Ndu
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