President Ramaphosa appoints Roelf Meyer as South Africa's new ambassador to the US
via The Citizen2 min read
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Roelf Meyer as South Africa's Ambassador to the United States, an announcement made on Tuesday, April 15, 2026. This appointment comes after South Africa had been without an ambassador in Washington since March 2025, when the Donald Trump administration expelled Ebrahim Rasool. Meyer, 78, is a seasoned negotiator known for his pivotal role in South Africa's transition to democracy in the 1990s, where he served as chief negotiator for the National Party government and worked alongside Ramaphosa, then the chief negotiator for the ANC. After the 1994 democratic elections, Meyer was Minister of Constitutional Development and Provincial Affairs in Nelson Mandela's cabinet. He later co-founded the United Democratic Movement in 1997 before retiring from active politics in 2000. Since then, he has consulted on peace processes in various regions, including Northern Ireland, Rwanda, Kosovo, and the Middle East. Last month, the new US ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, met with Meyer to discuss challenges between the two countries. Relations between South Africa and the US have deteriorated, particularly after the Trump administration suspended US aid to South Africa, announced a refugee program targeting Afrikaners, and accused South Africa of "white genocide," claims rejected by the South African government. The US also largely abstained from G20 activities hosted by South Africa last year, and Trump has stated South Africa would
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The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has launched an independent investigation into allegations that teaching posts within the department are being sold for money and sexual favors. The probe was initiated after a viral social media video surfaced, reportedly showing the wife of the department's head of communications, Muzi Mahlambi, accusing him of involvement in these activities. In the video, she claims female teachers either paid money or exchanged sexual favors to secure employment. Head of Department Nkosinathi Ngcobo ordered the independent investigation, emphasizing that the department views these allegations seriously as they impact public administration integrity and public trust. The department stated the investigation will be fair, credible, and impartial, considering all relevant evidence without fear or prejudice. They urged the public to provide any credible information to the investigating body or law enforcement authorities, committing to act decisively on the findings.
The MK party has defended its decision to appoint eThekwini's former mayor Zandile Gumede as the party's deputy convenor in KwaZulu-Natal, despite her ongoing trial for fraud, corruption, and money laundering related to a R320 million Durban Solid Waste tender. Gumede's appointment was announced at a press briefing in Durban. MK party secretary-general Sibonelo Nomvalo stated that the party is a political organization and not prosecutors, and therefore, criminal cases do not prevent a member from joining or taking a position. He added that questions about Gumede's legal issues are not relevant to her appointment. Political analyst Theo Neethling noted that Gumede's defection is significant because she remains on trial, and her charges did not hinder her acceptance by the MK party. Neethling suggests the party prioritizes electoral advantage and organizational strength over reputational risks, especially in securing metropolitan strongholds like eThekwini. This approach aligns with the party's narrative, which, given its leader Jacob Zuma's own legal challenges, often portrays criminal charges as politically motivated.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed South Africa鈥檚 condolences following the death of former Qatari Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away on Sunday, 12 July 2026, at 74 years old. Ramaphosa described Sheikh Hamad as a visionary leader whose "legacy of peace, prosperity and global influence continues to inspire the world." He extended sympathies to Qatar's Royal Family, government, and people, highlighting South Africa's close friendship with Qatar. Ramaphosa noted that Qatar, under Sheikh Hamad's leadership, became a model of peace, development, prosperity, and global influence. Sheikh Hamad's 18-year rule saw Qatar transform from an economy reliant on oil to the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, with one of the highest per capita incomes, achieved through strategic investment in productive assets, financial institutions, infrastructure, and human capital.