Defence Minister Angie Motshekga Appointed Acting South African President as Ramaphosa and Deputy are Out of the Country

South Africa’s political leadership baton has temporarily passed to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms. Angie Motshekga, who has been appointed to serve as the Acting President of the Republic. The appointment, announced by the Presidency, follows the concurrent departure of both President Cyril Ramaphosa and Deputy President Paul Mashatile on official visits abroad.

The appointment of the Defence Minister is a routine constitutional measure taken to ensure continuity of government authority. According to the Presidency, Minister Motshekga’s designation is in strict compliance with Section 90(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. This section provides the legal framework for delegating Presidential authority when both the President and the Deputy President are temporarily unable to perform the duties of the office due to being outside the Republic.

President Ramaphosa has embarked on a multi-day official trip, which begins with a visit to Ireland and will be followed by his attendance at the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium. Deputy President Paul Mashatile is also on an official working visit outside the country, making the temporary handover of power necessary.

As Acting President, Minister Motshekga will assume all Presidential authority for the duration of the concurrent foreign visits. The swift and transparent appointment highlights the country’s adherence to constitutional provisions for maintaining a seamless line of authority, even when the top two executive officials are abroad.