Ramaphosa defends appointment of Roelf Meyer as SA ambassador to US

President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended his choice of a former apartheid-era minister Roelf Meyer, to be South Africa’s next ambassador to the United States, saying he's always been a loyal and patriotic citizen.

Ramaphosa said Meyer is more than qualified to recalibrate the country’s relationship with the US.

The appointment has been met with criticism from some quarters, but Ramaphosa said he’s well-attuned to government policies.

President Ramaphosa says Meyer’s political affiliation was not a key consideration in choosing him to succeed Ebrahim Rasool as ambassador.

Speaking on the sidelines of a National Local Economic Development summit in Boksburg on Wednesday, Ramaphosa said as a diplomat, Meyer must be as neutral as possible.

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“Every ambassador that represents South Africa in foreign missions must comply and articulate the policies that has sent him or her there. If he doesn’t, he must come back.”

Ramaphosa said through his conflict-resolution work around the world, Meyer is capable of handling complex negotiations and says he’s already been interfacing with US state departments and politicians.

“So already, a lot of interactions have taken place, so he is for me, more than well-qualified to execute this task of being South Africa’s ambassador.”

Ramaphosa said he’s hopeful Meyer’s credentials will be accepted by US President Donald Trump, just as he’s received those of US ambassador to South Africa, Brent Bozell.