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<\/p>\nRabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za<\/p>\n
16 April 2026<\/p>\n
2-minute read<\/p>\n
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Roelf Meyer has been appointed as South Africa\u2019s ambassador to the US, sparking much debate following the turbulent relations between the two countries.<\/p>\n
While some feel that Meyer\u2019s skin colour, contacts, experience and capabilities in mediation and conflict resolution make him the best man for the job, others think that his baggage from the apartheid administration may mean that he is not the ideal candidate.<\/p>\n
According to political analyst Dirk Kotz\u00e9, the upside to the Meyer filling the post of ambassador is his close association with President Ramaphosa. The project undertaken by the US to take on Afrikaner \u201crefugees\u201d may find him playing the counter-role in the US. Meyer is also a \u201cseasoned person\u201d in understanding government foreign policy, diplomacy and international relations, essential traits to get the embassy up and running again.<\/p>\n
Although he will work with the state department, members of the congress, and businesspeople and not directly with the president, Kotz\u00e9 claims that the position will be a \u201cvery difficult task\u201d for Meyer.<\/p>\n
AfriForum is not too happy with the appointment as it means that they have now lost their monopoly on direct access to the Americans. The task is a long term one, as there hasn\u2019t been \u201ca real form of leadership,\u201d that left a vacuum which was filled by AfriForum. Led by President Ramaphosa\u2019s main negotiator, there are different forms of negotiation already taking place focusing on trade and other relations.<\/p>\n
Kotz\u00e9 says that it is essential that Meyer establishes himself first before establishing his credentials and then developing a wider network. With his previous experience in civil society organizations and as a businessman in his own right, Roelf Meyer has the business knowhow necessary for the position. However, it will take time for Meyer to familiarise himself with \u201cthe dynamics and details of the issues present in this situation.\u201d<\/p>\n