News24 presents: An evening with Roelf Meyer

A memoir, a nation, a negotiation – revisited.

28 October 2026

Loft at Nine, Pretoria

What does it take to negotiate a democracy? And what can South Africa’s transition to democracy teach us about the political challenges facing the country today?

Join News24 for an exclusive evening with Roelf Meyer, one of the key architects of South Africa’s democratic transition and, as of April 2026, the country’s ambassador to the United States, as he reflects on his political journey and the decisions that helped shape modern South Africa.

His new book, Roelf Meyer: A Political Memoir, offers a candid, insider’s account of his evolution from a senior National Party politician to a central figure in the negotiations that paved the way for democracy. It revisits the pivotal relationship between Meyer and Cyril Ramaphosa, the difficult compromises that made progress possible, and the challenge of negotiating peace across deep political divides.

Leading the conversation will be Pieter du Toit, News24’s assistant editor and one of South Africa’s leading political journalists and commentators. Known for his incisive analysis of the country’s political landscape, du Toit will draw on his deep understanding of South African politics to probe the pivotal moments, difficult choices and personal convictions behind Meyer’s political journey.

Joining the conversation will be Anneliese Burgess, co-author of Roelf Meyer: A Political Memoir, bringing further insight into the story behind the book and the man at the centre of these historic events.

Expect an engaging and thought-provoking discussion. Copies of Roelf Meyer: A Political Memoir will be available to purchase at the event.

Event details

Date: Wednesday, 28 October 2026

Venue: Loft at Nine, Menlyn, Pretoria

Time: 18:00 for 18:30 | Event concludes at 21:00

Your ticket includes an arrival drink, with canapés served after the discussion. A cash bar will be available for additional drinks.