WASHINGTON, D.C. — Veteran negotiator Roelf Meyer has officially presented his credentials to U.S. President Donald Trump, formally beginning his term as South Africa’s ambassador to the United States. Meyer handed over his credentials at the White House on Thursday, 21 May 2026, alongside 12 other newly appointed diplomats. He described the reception as “very cordial” and said Trump asked if he played golf.
The appointment comes as Pretoria seeks to reset relations with Washington after more than a year without a top envoy in the U.S. capital. Meyer replaces Ebrahim Rasool, who was expelled in March 2025 after criticising the Trump administration. President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Meyer in April 2026. The 78-year-old was a key government negotiator in the talks that ended apartheid and later served in Nelson Mandela’s cabinet.
Meyer said his mandate is to restore trust and strengthen economic cooperation, with a focus on trade and investment. Ties between the two countries have been strained over issues including South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the ICJ, U.S. claims of persecution of Afrikaners, and the Trump administration’s freeze on some aid to South Africa.
DIRCO confirmed the credential presentation would take place this week as part of efforts to salvage a fractured bilateral relationship.
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