PRETORIA – President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana as Acting President of South Africa from 21 to 27 October 2025. The appointment was made to ensure continuity of governance while the President undertakes a series of consecutive international visits to Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Switzerland.
The arrangement was necessitated as Deputy President Paul Mashatile will be on leave during this period.
According to a statement from The Presidency, President Ramaphosa’s diplomatic tour begins today, Tuesday, 21 October, with a working visit to Indonesia on 22 October. This will be followed by a state visit to Vietnam on 23-24 October, and then a state visit to Malaysia from 24 to 27 October. While in Malaysia, the President is also scheduled to participate in a Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The tour will conclude with a state visit to Switzerland from 29 to 30 October.
The visits are strategically aimed at advancing South Africa’s bilateral relations, with a particular focus on boosting trade and investment in sectors such as energy, agriculture, manufacturing, and finance.
Furthermore, the tour will strengthen South Africa’s cooperation with global partners and contribute directly to President Ramaphosa’s preparations for a key diplomatic event: chairing the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg on 22 and 23 November 2025.
Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, confirmed the details of the appointment and the President’s travel itinerary.
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