JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to appoint Roelf Meyer, a former minister in both apartheid and democratic South Africa, as the country’s next ambassador to the United States.
Meyer will replace Ebrahim Rasool, who was expelled from Washington DC over a year ago. Rasool was expelled from the US following comments he made about Donald Trump.
Who is Roelf Meyer?
Roelf Petrus Meyer was born in Gqeberha on 16 July 1946. He is the youngest son of Eastern Cape farmer Hudson Meyer and teacher Hannah Meyer.
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He studied towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree and later an LLB at the University of the Free State, completing the former in 1968 and the latter in 1971. He practised law in Pretoria and Johannesburg until 1980.
During his military conscription, he was a member of the South African Defence Force choir.
Political career
Meyer entered politics in 1979, becoming a Member of Parliament for the National Party.
In 1986, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Law and Order under then-president P. W. Botha, during a period marked by the declaration of a State of Emergency amid escalating resistance to apartheid.
In 1988, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Constitutional Development.
Following Botha’s resignation in 1989, FW de Klerk took over leadership of the National Party, ushering in a period of political reform and negotiations to end apartheid.
In 1991, Meyer was appointed Minister of Defence, before later becoming Minister of Constitutional Affairs and Communication.
In 1993, he served as the chief negotiator for the National Party, while Cyril Ramaphosa led negotiations for the ANC. The two developed a working relationship during this period.
Post-apartheid South Africa
In 1994, under President Nelson Mandela, Meyer became Minister of Constitutional Development and Provincial Affairs.
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He resigned from the National Party in 1997 and later co-founded the United Democratic Movement (UDM) with Bantu Holomisa.
The party secured four seats in the 1999 general elections. Meyer retired from politics in 2000.
He has since remained a respected voice on governance and constitutional matters in South Africa.
Ambassador to the US
Meyer’s expected appointment comes as South Africa seeks to strengthen diplomatic ties with the United States.
He recently met with US ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III following the ambassador’s arrival in the country.
A privilege to meet Roelf Meyer today and learn more about the work he did to help create South Africa’s democracy. Our countries share a commitment to dialogue, democratic values, and working together to address today’s challenges. pic.twitter.com/vxZds9M9ao
— U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa (@USAmbRSA) March 17, 2026
Source: eNCA