President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Roelf Meyer, a former apartheid government official and CODESA negotiator, as South Africa's new ambassador to the United States. This decision has ignited significant political debate, with critics like Herman Mashaba of ActionSA and parties such as the MK Party and EFF condemning the appointment due to Meyer's apartheid past, viewing it as a "diplomatic and political miscalculation" and an "insult to our democratic struggle." Conversely, supporters, including political analyst Prof Theo Neethling and the ANC, praise Meyer's extensive diplomatic experience, negotiating skills, and established trust with President Ramaphosa, arguing these qualities are essential for navigating complex bilateral relations with the current US administration, especially given the vacant ambassadorship since March 2025 after the expulsion of the previous envoy.