South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed veteran politician Roelf Meyer as the country’s ambassador to the United States, amid strained relations with the administration of Donald Trump.
The appointment was confirmed by presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya, who said Meyer’s role takes effect immediately after a period when the post remained vacant.
Meyer, a former member of parliament and defence minister, also played a key role in negotiations that led to the end of apartheid and the election of Nelson Mandela in 1994.
He also served in Mandela’s unity government as minister of constitutional development and later founded the United Democratic Movement, a centre-left political party.