President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Roelf Meyer as South Africa’s next ambassador to the United States, his office said Tuesday.
Officials described the posting as sensitive amid strained relations with Donald Trump’s administration, after previous ambassador was expelled last year.
Presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya confirmed the appointment saying Meyer would assume duties after completing protocols in Washington DC United States capital.
Seventy-eight-year-old Meyer was a reformist minister in apartheid-era National Party and key negotiator in South Africa’s democratic transition process period.
A lawyer by training, he led National Party negotiations in early 1990s multi-party talks to dismantle apartheid system peaceful transition.
He left National Party in 1997 to co-found United Democratic Movement, which failed to gain broad electoral appeal support base.
In 2006 Meyer joined former adversaries by becoming member of African National Congress, once opposing apartheid rule governing party system.
Ramaphosa recently received credentials of new US ambassador Brent Bozell amid tensions over Israel case and Trump remarks claims disputes.
Relations remain strained over South Africa’s UN genocide case against Israel and Trump’s disputed claims about Afrikaner persecution allegations narratives.
Meyer from Afrikaans minority enters role as government rejects claims of persecution of Afrikaners in South Africa officially stated position.
Washington expelled South Africa’s previous ambassador in March last year after criticism of Trump’s MAGA movement public statements controversy escalation.
South Africa remains United States’ largest trading partner in Africa, hosting over 500 US firms and 30,000 citizens resident base.