PIONEER
Roelof (Roelf) Petrus Meyer
Politician | Negotiator | Constitution drafter
Born: 16 July 1947
“The preamble to our Constitution of 1996 describes the foundation of our nation in a poetic manner. While reflecting on the history and our tragic past, it also sets the norms and values for the future. It expresses the vision and the ideals for the future while creating a natural link with the founding provisions in chapter 1 and the Bill of Rights in chapter 2 … Although the Preamble has its place at the beginning of the Constitution, it was in fact drafted at the end of the Constitution-making process. It therefore reflects the intentions of the Constitutional Assembly during the drafting process. It summarises the work done during the drafting process and the conclusions reached but also recognises the will of the people through public consultations conducted throughout the drafting process. It therefore also correctly states that it speaks on behalf of the people.”
Who is
Roelof (Roelf) Petrus Meyer?
Chief negotiator for the National Party (NP) during the negotiations’ process and co-founder of the United Democratic Movement (UDM).
Professions
and Roles
Politician and businessperson; active peace negotiator.
Best Known For
Originally a member of the NP, known for his prominent role as chief negotiator for the NP in the negotiations to end apartheid.
Life highlights
- Meyer entered politics as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the National Party in 1979.
- He was appointed Deputy Minister of Law and Order in 1986 and of Constitutional Development in 1988. Then in 1991, he was appointed as Minister of Defence and as Minister of Constitutional Affairs and Communication.
- Meyer was the NP’s chief negotiator in the Multi-Party Negotiating Forum (MPNF) of 1993 and subsequently the government’s chief representative in the Transitional Executive Council.
- In 1994, he was appointed as the Minister of Constitutional Development and Provincial Affairs.
- Meyer resigned from Cabinet in 1996 and became Secretary-General of the NP, but resigned from the party in 1997. He jointly established the UDM with Bantu Holomisa, and served as the Deputy President of the UDM until his retirement from politics in 2000.
- In 2006, he announced he would join the ANC.
- Meyer was awarded the Order of the Baobab in Silver in 2009 for “his immense contribution in providing special support in the birth of the new democratic South Africa through negotiations and ensuring that South Africa has a Constitution that protects all citizens.”
- Meyer has participated as a consultant in peace processes around the world, including Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka, Rwanda, Burundi, Kosovo, and Bolivia. He was also involved in similar efforts in the Basque region and the Middle East.
IN THE WORDS OF OTHERS
“At an organisational level, our relationship had matured and was based on accountability to our principles. Nothing was hidden. It was openness and a total commitment by the two entities to find solutions to the country’s problems.”
– Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa
During his compulsory military service, he was a member of the South African Defence Force choir, the ‘Kanaries’.
References
