Enoch Godongwana Appointed as Acting President

President Ramaphosa’s back-to-back diplomatic missions underscore his administration’s commitment to repositioning South Africa as a competitive player in the global economy.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana as Acting President of South Africa from Tuesday, 21 October to Monday, 27 October 2025, while he embarks on a series of high-profile international visits aimed at advancing the country’s trade, investment, and diplomatic relations.

The announcement, made by the Presidency on Monday, comes as Deputy President Shipokosa Paul Mashatile proceeds on leave during the same period, necessitating Godongwana’s appointment to temporarily assume presidential duties.

Ramaphosa’s Strategic International Engagements

President Ramaphosa’s international itinerary begins with a Working Visit to Indonesia on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, followed by State Visits to Vietnam (23–24 October) and Malaysia (24–27 October). During his stay in Malaysia, Ramaphosa will also attend a Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) — marking South Africa’s continued effort to strengthen relations with Southeast Asian economies.

The President’s engagements will culminate in a State Visit to Switzerland from 29 to 30 October 2025, where discussions are expected to focus on investment partnerships, trade expansion, and cooperation in innovation and technology.

According to the Presidency, these visits are aimed at deepening South Africa’s bilateral and multilateral cooperation and reinforcing its position as a strategic trade and investment partner within the global economic landscape.

“These visits will advance South Africa’s bilateral relations with the respective host countries, particularly in trade and investment. They will also enable South Africa to strengthen cooperation with partner States in global fora and contribute to the President’s preparations for his chairing of the Group Twenty (G20) Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg on 22 and 23 November 2025,” the Presidency said.

Strengthening South-South and Global Partnerships

President Ramaphosa’s engagements in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia come at a time when South Africa is expanding its economic diplomacy agenda in Asia — a region that has become a key driver of global growth and a major partner for African economies.

• In Indonesia, the President is expected to engage with senior government officials and business leaders to enhance cooperation in infrastructure development, renewable energy, and digital transformation.

• In Vietnam, discussions will likely centre on trade diversification, investment in manufacturing and green industries, and collaboration in higher education and technology exchange.

• In Malaysia, South Africa aims to deepen ties in the energy, financial services, and maritime sectors, while exploring investment opportunities through the ASEAN platform.

The ASEAN Summit, where Ramaphosa is slated to participate as an invited guest, offers South Africa an opportunity to strengthen inter-regional cooperation between Africa and Southeast Asia — particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.

Switzerland Visit and Global Economic Diplomacy

Following his engagements in Asia, President Ramaphosa will travel to Switzerland from 29–30 October 2025, where discussions are expected to focus on expanding bilateral trade, enhancing skills partnerships, and attracting foreign direct investment into South Africa’s strategic sectors.

The visit also provides a platform for Ramaphosa to engage with European investors ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, which South Africa will host in Johannesburg on 22–23 November 2025 — a first in the nation’s history. As the incoming G20 Chair, President Ramaphosa is expected to champion inclusive global economic growth, reform of multilateral institutions, and greater representation for developing nations.

Enoch Godongwana Steps In as Acting President

While the President undertakes these international engagements, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will serve as Acting President, overseeing government functions and ensuring continuity of leadership.

Godongwana, who has served as Minister of Finance since 2021, is widely respected for his fiscal management and steady leadership in steering the South African economy through challenging times. His appointment reflects confidence in his ability to maintain the stability of governance during the President’s absence.

This will be one of several occasions that Godongwana has temporarily assumed the acting role, reinforcing his growing stature within the Cabinet and the broader executive leadership of the country.

Advancing South Africa’s Global Standing

President Ramaphosa’s back-to-back diplomatic missions underscore his administration’s commitment to repositioning South Africa as a competitive player in the global economy. By engaging both Asian and European partners, the President aims to attract investment, expand export markets, and build strategic alliances ahead of major international summits.

The visits also form part of South Africa’s broader economic recovery and international cooperation strategy, which seeks to harness global partnerships to drive industrialisation, innovation, and sustainable development.

As the President embarks on this series of engagements, Acting President Godongwana will hold the reins at home — ensuring that government operations proceed smoothly while South Africa strengthens its diplomatic and economic footprint abroad.