By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa will see Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga take the reins as the Acting President from 17 to 19 June 2025.
The appointment was made in accordance with section 90 (1) (b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
Motshekga steps into the role as both Ramaphosa and Deputy President Paul Mashatile are out of the country on official engagements.
Ramaphosa is currently in Canada, attending the G7 Leadership Summit, a gathering of leaders from the world’s most industrialised nations. Concurrently, Mashatile is undertaking a working visit to Moscow in the Russian Federation.
This temporary appointment ensures the continued functioning of the executive branch during the absence of both the President and Deputy President, highlighting the constitutional provisions in place to maintain leadership and governance.
Motshekga is well known for her previous long-standing tenure as Minister of Basic Education, where she played a pivotal role in shaping policy and handling the country’s education system through crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her move into the defence portfolio was seen as a strategic step, placing her at the helm of national security affairs during a time of growing domestic and global tensions.