Roelf Meyer during the national convention. (Photo: Phill Magakoe / AFP)
Dr. Dirk Hermann, CEO of Solidarity, thinks pres. Cyril Ramaphosa’s choice of ambassador to the USA is disappointing.
The presidency confirmed to Maroela Media on Tuesday evening that former NP minister and negotiator Roelf Meyer has been named as South Africa’s new ambassador to the USA.
‘Just another mistake’
Hermann believes that Meyer’s appointment will not inspire confidence among ordinary Afrikaners.
“He is a retired politician from a previous dispensation.”
“This is not the answer to restoring relations. It is just another mistake by the South African government in their relationship with the American government.”
Dr. Corné Mulder, leader of the FF Plus, is also not impressed with Ramaphosa’s choice of ambassador.
Roelf Meyer, Pieter and Corné Mulder and genl. Constand Viljoen at the time during the negotiations.
“Roelf Meyer was chief negotiator of NNP government during Kodesa with the ANC. After that he joined the ANC. It’s the equivalent of Jerry Adams of Sinn Féin joining the Tories in the UK, or Yasser Arafat of the PLO joining Likud.
“His credibility is, to say the least, seriously problematic,” says Mulder.
Roelf Meyer was chief negotiator of NNP gov during Codesa with ANC. Afterwards he joined ANC. It’s equivalent of Jerry Adams of Sinn Fein who joined Torries in the UK or Yasser Arafat of PLO who joins Likud. His credibility is seriously problematic to say the least @maroelamedia
— Corné_Mulder (@MulderCorn) April 14, 2026
Maroela Media reported earlier this evening that Meyer (78) was one of the main negotiators during talks to ensure South Africa’s democratic transition. He worked with Ramaphosa then and now now and played a central role in the negotiations with the ANC which eventually led to a political settlement for the country.
Dr. Theo de Jager, CEO of Saai, pointed out on Tuesday evening that South African farmers do not know what Meyer’s positions are on critical agricultural issues such as expropriation without compensation, farm attacks and rural security, black economic empowerment on family farms or “Kill the Boer”.
And this is simply because Meyer has never spoken out about these issues, says De Jager.
“Since all four of these issues involve clear conditions from the US side for the restoration of diplomatic relations, most farmers hope that in his new office Meyer will put the broader interests of South Africa first, and will not echo the views of Fikile Mbalula.”