Roelf Meyer’s appointment as US ambassador met with mixed reactions

Political analyst, Sipho Seete, has slammed the appointment of Roelf Meyer as South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, describing it as a “shameful, spineless capitulation” that undermines the aspirations of the black majority.

Seete criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision, alleging a long-standing relationship between the two has influenced key policy directions.

“From close quarters, I witnessed the inappropriate personal friendship and political relationship between Cyril Ramaphosa and Roelf Meyer. In every critical matter involving land restitution without compensation, genuine black economic empowerment, and dismantling white privilege, the spineless Ramaphosa took his lead from Meyer,” said Seete.

The backlash comes after Ramaphosa appointed the 78-year-old former National Party figure, following the diplomatic fallout that saw former ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, expelled from the United States in March 2025.

Rasool was declared persona non grata and given 72 hours to leave the country after criticising Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement during a public webinar, where he labelled the US leader a white supremacist.

South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country.

Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS.

We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA.https://t.co/mnUnwGOQdx

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 14, 2025

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has also rejected Meyer’s deployment, claiming it is an attempt to appease US President Donald Trump and what they describe as “white supremacist ideals.”

EFF REJECTS ROELF MEYER APPOINTMENT AS AMBASSADOR TO US pic.twitter.com/Rgp6T6TtnW

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) April 15, 2026

Meyer, a qualified lawyer, served in the National Party until 1997 and later became deputy president of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) before resigning in 2000.

He is widely recognised for his role in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) negotiations in 1993, which paved the way for the end of apartheid.

Despite the criticism, Ramaphosa has defended his appointment, saying Meyer is well equipped to represent South Africa abroad.

“Mr Roelf Meyer is well attuned with the policies of this country and government. Every ambassador who represents me, because they represent the president and the country, must comply with and articulate the policies of the government that has sent him or her. If he doesn’t, he must come,” emphasised Ramaphosa.

Roelf Meyer is a patriotic South African who has distinguished himself in the various roles he has served in. He is well qualified to execute his new role as South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States. pic.twitter.com/PLq9Y92YLz

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) April 15, 2026

Political party Rise Mzansi says Meyer’s success will ultimately be judged on economic outcomes.

“As Ambassador, Meyer’s primary mandate must be economic diplomacy. He enters a landscape where the stakes for South African workers and businesses have never been higher… While Meyer possesses significant experience, his performance will be measured against the standard of professionalism and the tangible advancement of the South African economy,” said the party’s national communications director, Mabine Seabe.

Meyer’s appointment comes at a time of strained relations between Pretoria and Washington, following South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice against Israel over alleged genocide in Gaza and Trump’s “white genocide” claims. 

International relations expert, Professor John Stremlau, believes Meyer’s experience could help repair relations.

“He is close to Cyril Ramaphosa, having negotiated an end to apartheid, and he is an outstanding man of principle and forthrightness. He also betrays the falsity of Trump’s claim that this is a racist society. It is not.”

Meanwhile, Political commentator, Brooks Spector, says Meyer’s immediate priority will be building relationships within the US government.

“Meyer will have to spend considerable energy… meeting lower levels of the bureaucracy and agencies where important relationships must be built. But the most important thing will be bringing information and insight back home so South Africa is not misinformed about how ideas are being discussed in Washington,” added Spector.

Roelf Meyer good appointment congratulations!!!

— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) April 15, 2026

The last thing the country needs now is for yet another ANC cadre to be deployed as South Africa’s ambassador to the USA. Roelf Meyer is an ANC cadre.

A principled ambassador is needed who can engage with the USA competently in the interest of South Africa. His history shows…

— Kallie Kriel (@kalliekriel) April 15, 2026

The appointment of Roelf Meyer as Ambassador to the US is an act of political regression that signals a government increasingly willing to appease the white supremacist Trump administration and foreign pressure at the expense of South Africa’s sovereignty and liberation legacy.…

— Vuyo Zungula MP 🇿🇦 (@ZungulaVuyo) April 15, 2026