The Afrikaner community in South Africa is expressing discontent over the appointment of Roelf Meyer as the new ambassador to the US. They’ve labeled him a “turncoat,” while some on the left claim he’s too rigid in dealing with existing “white power structures.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that Meyer is “more than qualified” to engage with American stakeholders and aims to “recalibrate” the relationship between Pretoria and Washington. Tensions between the two nations have begun to ease since Ramaphosa met former President Donald Trump in May, despite Trump accusing him of being complicit in genocide and highlighting the plight of Afrikaner farmers with a symbolic photo.
Meyer, who served as defense minister during the white minority government from 1991 to 1992 and was the chief negotiator that facilitated the end of apartheid, stands at the center of heated debate. His past actions, particularly related to the negotiations that ushered in Nelson Mandela’s presidency in 1994, spark significant scrutiny from both political sides.
Dr. Ernst Roeth, an Afrikaner activist, criticized Meyer as “the greatest turncoat in Afrikaner history” but acknowledged that the apartheid system needed to change. Roeth believes that Meyer’s negotiations ultimately resulted in destructive centralized policies.
In recent years, South Africa has faced challenges with race-based laws affecting white farmers and businesses, alongside issues of organized crime and corruption, with many attacks disproportionately impacting the Afrikaner population. Theo de Jager, from the Southern Africa Agriculture Initiative, remarked that there have been numerous incidents of race-based discrimination.
This situation has led to efforts from some quarters, including Trump’s administration, to ease the process for white South Africans seeking refuge in the US. Afrikaner podcaster Nicole Barlow remarked that Meyer, viewed as a traitor by many, has been sent to assure his community that there will be no genocide and that farms will remain safe.
Additionally, Ramaphosa shared his own feelings of embarrassment over the jubilant demeanor Meyer displayed after the negotiations that ended apartheid. He questioned whether he would have felt the same way in Meyer’s position.
Meyer formally joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 2006, and reports indicate that Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters party has rejected his appointment due to his past involvement in the apartheid government. Malema has been vocal in the past against racial discrimination and has criticized the ANC for allegedly losing its revolutionary spirit.
The EFF’s statements reflect their belief that the ANC, through this appointment, is attempting to win favor with global powers while ignoring ongoing issues with racism and right-wing politics in the US. They challenge Ramaphosa’s assertion that Meyer’s experience is beneficial, arguing instead that it represents an effort to appease Trump’s supporters.
Both the Afrikaners and the EFF represent marginalized groups within South Africa, and it’s unclear what steps Meyer will take to improve ties with the United States. His effectiveness in this role remains to be seen.
The South African embassy in the United States has yet to respond to inquiries at this time.
