Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Angie Motshekga, accompanied President Cyril Ramaphosa on his State Visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from 23 to 24 October 2025. This marks the second leg of the President’s three-nation tour of Southeast Asia, highlighting South Africa’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic, economic, and defence ties in the region.
The visit comes at a strategic time, reaffirming the importance South Africa places on its bilateral relationship with Vietnam. It also reflects a broader effort to deepen engagement with Southeast Asia, a region of growing economic and geopolitical significance.
Minister Motshekga’s participation underscores the expanding role of defence cooperation in South Africa’s international partnerships. Areas of focus include peacekeeping collaboration, joint military training, defence industry development, and military diplomacy. These initiatives aim to enhance South Africa’s contribution to regional and international security while fostering mutual expertise and capacity building with partner nations.
The inclusion of the Ministry of Defence in high-level state visits highlights South Africa’s approach to integrated diplomacy, where defence, trade, and political engagement are closely coordinated to advance the country’s national interests. By engaging directly with Vietnam’s defence and government leadership, South Africa seeks to explore opportunities for collaboration in technology transfer, military training programs, and joint peacekeeping initiatives.
This State Visit also provides an opportunity for the delegation to strengthen people-to-people ties, promote cultural exchange, and explore avenues for economic cooperation that can benefit both nations. Minister Motshekga’s presence not only signals South Africa’s commitment to robust defence diplomacy but also demonstrates the increasing interconnection between national security and international engagement in the 21st century.
