President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, to serve as the acting President of the Republic of South Africa during the concurrent absence from the country of both the President and the Deputy President.
The appointment is made in accordance with Section 90(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, which provides for the delegation of Presidential authority when both the President and the Deputy President are unable to fulfil the duties of the office.
President Ramaphosa is undertaking an official visit to Ireland from Wednesday and will thereafter attend the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium, on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
During a luncheon hosted by Ireland President Michael Higgins, Ramaphosa underscored the enduring friendship and shared values between the two nations.
President Ramaphosa expressed gratitude for the warm welcome received in Ireland, describing the visit as a “homecoming” for South Africans.
Highlighting the historical ties that bind Ireland and South Africa, President Ramaphosa reflected on the support extended by the Irish people during South Africa’s struggle for democracy. “The struggles of our respective peoples for statehood have rendered us kin,” he noted, evoking a sense of solidarity that has only strengthened over time.
The luncheon served as a platform to reaffirm the commitment of both countries to multilateralism and international cooperation. Ramaphosa praised the South Africa-Ireland Joint Commission for Cooperation as a testament to their mutual respect and collaboration on global matters, particularly within the United Nations framework.
The two leaders touched upon pressing global issues, with President Ramaphosa commending Ireland for its principled stance regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. “There is growing global consensus that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and that the world must unite to end the conflict,” he said, emphasising the urgency of international solidarity in pursuit of peace and justice.
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