Mantashe standing in as SA president

With President Cyril Ramaphosa and Deputy President Paul Mashatile both out of the country, Minister of Energy Gwede Mantashe has been tasked with running South Africa.

Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said the president has, in terms of Section 90(1)(b) of the constitution, designated Mantashe as the acting president of the Republic of South Africa from 18 to 22 May 2025.

“This designation flows from the simultaneous Working Visits by President Ramaphosa and Deputy President Paul Mashatile to the United States of America and the Republic of France, respectively.”

Acting President Mantashe  

Mantashe was first thrust into the role during Freedom Day last month.

He delivered the keynote address at the national Freedom Day celebration at the AJ Swanepoel Stadium in Ermelo, Mpumalanga.

Ramaphosa was expected to deliver the address, but he was booked off with the flu. But he did wish South Africans well as the country celebrated 31 years of democracy.

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Ramaphosa in US

The president’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump will remain focused on critical bilateral issues, despite recent tensions between the two nations.

“We are not going to be distracted by anything.

“We will just focus on what is important for our country,” the president told the media after an ANC event held in Kimberley on Friday.”

Mashatile in France

Mashatile’s visit to France aims to reinforce South Africa’s historic and warm bilateral relations with the country by expanding on existing cooperation projects and identifying new areas of cooperation, with a specific focus on trade and investment.

The deputy president’s visit follows a recent visit by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola on 16 May 2025, to co-chair the 9th Session of the Forum for Political Dialogue (FPD), during which the status of bilateral political relations between the two countries was discussed, including matters of mutual interest relating to international developments.

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