Roelf Meyer
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Roelf Meyer MP |
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|---|---|
| Minister of Defence | |
|
In office 1991–1992 |
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| Minister of Constitutional Affairs and Communication | |
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In office 1992–1994 |
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| Minister of Constitutional Development and Provincial Affairs | |
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In office 1994–1996 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
16 July 1947 Port Elizabeth, Union of South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Political party | African National Congress (2006–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
National Party (until 1997) United Democratic Movement (1997–2006) |
| Children | 2 sons, 1 daughter |
| Alma mater | University of the Free State |
| Occupation | Politician |
Roelof Petrus (Roelf) Meyer, born in Port Elizabeth on 16 July 1947 is a South African politician and businessman. Originally a member of the National Party, he is known for his prominent role in the negotiations to end apartheid in South Africa. He later co-founded the United Democratic Movement.
Meyer, the son of a farmer, completed school in Ficksburg and studied law at the University of the Free State. He completed the B Comm (1968) and LLB (1971) degrees. At university, he was president of the conservative "Afrikaanse Studentebond". During his compulsory military service he was a member of the SADF choir also known as the "Kanaries". Meyer then practised as a lawyer in Pretoria and Johannesburg until 1980.
In 1979 he entered politics as he was elected a Member of Parliament for the National Party in the Johannesburg West Constituency. In 1986 he became Deputy Minister of Law and Order and in 1988 of Constitutional Development (until 1991). With the declaration of the first State of Emergency in 1985, the National Joint Management Centre (NJMC), chaired by the Deputy Minister of Law and Order, took over as the nerve centre for co-ordination of all welfare and security policies.
In 1991, F. W. De Klerk appointed him as Minister of Defence as successor of Magnus Malan. Allegedly, the verligte Nat ("liberal" or "enlightened" NP politician) couldn't win the respect of the generals in this position. In May 1992, after nine months in office, he resigned and became Minister of Constitutional Affairs and of Communication as successor of Gerrit Viljoen. It was this position which brought him into the negotiating process.
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