Business welcomes President's choice of Roelf Meyer as ambassador to US

PL

Paula Luckhoff

15 April 2026 | 17:20

Business Leadership SA say they look forward to 'a new era of collaboration' with Washington, following the appointment of the former NP member who led negotiations leading up to our 1994 democratic elections.

Business welcomes President's choice of Roelf Meyer as ambassador to US

South African politician Roelf Meyer speaks during "Nation in Conversation" talks at the Nampo Harvest Day Expo in Bothaville on May 15, 2018. (Photo by WIKUS DE WET / AFP)

Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) has welcomed the appointment of Roelf Meyer as the country's new ambassador to the US.

His appointment follows the expulsion of former ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, who was declared persona non grata in 2025 after remarks he made during a webinar on US politics.

Meyer is best known for serving as the National Party's chief negotiator during the 1993 multi-party talks that helped bring an end to apartheid, where he formed a close relationship with now-President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa appointed Meyer as co-chairperson of the National Dialogue's eminent persons group in 2025.

The trained lawyer is also familiar with conflict-resolution work through his leadership of global consultancy, the In Transformation Initiative.

While there has been praise from many quarters, the 78-year-old's latest role is also drawing criticism because he was a former official of the apartheid government, with questions also being raised about his age.

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BLSA noted how Meyer’s commitment to dialogue, reconciliation, and nation-building helped lay the foundation for South Africa’s transition to the new democratic dispensation in 1994.

"He has demonstrated the maturity and political acumen needed to enhance and strengthen ties between South Africa and the United States", the association said in a statement..

BLSA CEO Busisiwe Mavuso said they look forward to "a new era of collaboration and exploring new opportunities" arising from this appointment.

"Given the journey he has traversed and the personal investment he has made in building our democracy, Mr Meyer is the right adult to place in the room to ensure we arrest any potential erosion in the relationship between Washington and Pretoria, considering the continued importance of the United States as a trading partner."

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