PRETORIA — In a bold diplomatic move, President Cyril Ramaphosa is reportedly considering appointing an Afrikaner as South Africa’s next ambassador to the United States, following the controversial recall of Ebrahim Rasool in March 2025.
According to BusinessTech, the shortlist has been narrowed to four Afrikaner candidates, with Roelf Meyer — the former National Party negotiator and key figure in South Africa’s CODESA talks — emerging as a potential frontrunner.
The decision comes amid a souring relationship between Pretoria and Washington, sparked by Rasool’s remarks accusing former U.S. President Donald Trump of leading a “white supremacist movement.” The fallout led to his swift expulsion and has strained bilateral ties further.
Compounding tensions are South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and its ongoing land reform policies, both of which have faced criticism from the U.S. government.
Analysts say the Afrikaner appointment strategy may be a calculated effort to rebuild trust with the American administration and to appeal to more conservative U.S. political circles. However, the move has sparked domestic backlash, with critics accusing Ramaphosa of yielding to Western diplomatic pressure.
As of April 21
