Cape Town: President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, to serve as Acting President of the Republic of South Africa from 17 to 19 June 2025. The appointment comes as both President Ramaphosa and Deputy President Paul Mashatile are engaged in international commitments.
According to South African Government News Agency, the appointment aligns with section 90 (1) (b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. President Ramaphosa is currently in Canada for the G7 Leadership Summit, while Deputy President Mashatile is on a working visit to Moscow in the Russian Federation.
President Ramaphosa’s visit to Canada included participation in the G7 Summit Outreach Session, held alongside the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. The G7 is composed of Canada’s largest advanced economies, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The European Union also attends G7 Summits, though it is not a member.
Meanwhile, Deputy President Mashatile’s visit to Moscow is focused on enhancing bilateral economic and trade relations between South Africa and Russia. Upon arrival, he was received by key officials, including the Deputy Head of State Protocol, Andrei Milyaev, the Deputy Director of the African Department, Andrei Stolyarov, and South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister, Alvin Botes.