South African President Ramaphosa has arrived in Indonesia on a state visit, marking the start of a tour of three Southeast Asian countries from October 22 to 28, 2025, including Vietnam and Malaysia, where he will attend the 47th ASEAN Summit as a guest of honor.

South African Government

Jakarta Globe

South African President Ramaphosa has arrived in Indonesia on a state visit, marking the start of a tour of three Southeast Asian countries from October 22 to 28, 2025, including Vietnam and Malaysia, where he will attend the 47th ASEAN Summit as a guest of honor.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo welcomed his South African counterpart to bilateral talks at the Merdeka Presidential Palace to discuss opportunities for deepening economic, trade, and investment relations, as well as to exchange views on key global issues of mutual interest.

Antara News

Indonesian President Joko Widodo welcomed his South African counterpart to bilateral talks at the Merdeka Presidential Palace to discuss opportunities for deepening economic, trade, and investment relations, as well as to exchange views on key global issues of mutual interest.

According to the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, bilateral trade shows "significant potential for future growth," with South Africa citing that trade reached a value of R27.4 billion ($1.49 billion), resulting in a deficit of R6.4 billion ($350 million) for South Africa.

Central News

RRI Official

Devdiscourse

According to the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, bilateral trade shows "significant potential for future growth," with South Africa citing that trade reached a value of R27.4 billion ($1.49 billion), resulting in a deficit of R6.4 billion ($350 million) for South Africa.

Both nations are BRICS members focusing on cooperation in mining, manufacturing, renewable energy, electric vehicles and green hydrogen, with Indonesia's nickel leadership complementing South Africa's manganese and platinum reserves.</span

Eurasia Review

Both nations are BRICS members focusing on cooperation in mining, manufacturing, renewable energy, electric vehicles and green hydrogen, with Indonesia's nickel leadership complementing South Africa's manganese and platinum reserves.

The SA-Indonesia Business Forum highlighted establishing a working group for launching a South Africa-Indonesia Business Council and potential partnerships in managing Special Economic Zones, with Indonesia operating 19 SEZs.

The SA-Indonesia Business Forum highlighted establishing a working group for launching a South Africa-Indonesia Business Council and potential partnerships in managing Special Economic Zones, with Indonesia operating 19 SEZs.

Historical ties between the countries span over 350 years, beginning with Indonesian arrivals in the Cape in the 1600s, while Indonesia supported the anti-apartheid struggle and hosted the influential 1955 Bandung Conference.</span

Joburg ETC

Historical ties between the countries span over 350 years, beginning with Indonesian arrivals in the Cape in the 1600s, while Indonesia supported the anti-apartheid struggle and hosted the influential 1955 Bandung Conference.

President Ramaphosa's state visit to Indonesia kicks off a three-nation Southeast Asian tour from October 22-28, 2025, including visits to Vietnam and Malaysia where he will participate as Guest of the Chair at the 47th ASEAN Summit.</span

South African Government #

President Ramaphosa's state visit to Indonesia kicks off a three-nation Southeast Asian tour from October 22-28, 2025, including visits to Vietnam and Malaysia where he will participate as Guest of the Chair at the 47th ASEAN Summit.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto welcomed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Merdeka Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, with ceremonies including national anthems and inspection of honor guards.</span

Antara News #

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto welcomed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Merdeka Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, with ceremonies including national anthems and inspection of honor guards.

Trade relations between the countries show South African exports to Indonesia at R10.5 billion while Indonesian imports amount to R16.9 billion, with Indonesia ranking as South Africa's third largest trading partner in Southeast Asia.</span

Central News #

Eurasia Review #

Trade relations between the countries show South African exports to Indonesia at R10.5 billion while Indonesian imports amount to R16.9 billion, with Indonesia ranking as South Africa's third largest trading partner in Southeast Asia.

RRI Official #

The SA-Indonesia Business Forum highlighted establishing a working group for a South Africa-Indonesia Business Council and potential partnerships in managing Special Economic Zones, with Indonesia operating 19 SEZs.</span

The SA-Indonesia Business Forum highlighted establishing a working group for a South Africa-Indonesia Business Council and potential partnerships in managing Special Economic Zones, with Indonesia operating 19 SEZs.

South Africa's strategic partnership with Indonesia represents a golden opportunity for economic transformation. Bilateral trade has grown substantially, and both nations are perfectly positioned to create a sustainable electric-mobility value chain leveraging Indonesia's nickel leadership and South Africa's platinum reserves.

South Africa's strategic partnership with Indonesia represents a golden opportunity for economic transformation. Bilateral trade has grown substantially, and both nations are perfectly positioned to create a sustainable electric-mobility value chain leveraging Indonesia's nickel leadership and South Africa's platinum reserves.</span

President Ramaphosas State Visit to Indonesia Aims to Deepen Ties and Boost Trade Amid Shared History and Global Goals

22102025 South Africa Indonesia To Deepen Historical Ties During Official State Visit

TV BRICS

TV BRICS #

Indonesia and South Africa agree to strengthen trade and enterprise cooperation in key export sectors

South Africa's economy remains trapped in structural weakness, ranking a dismal 83rd globally for economic freedom with no improvement. High government consumption, punitive tax rates and restrictive labor laws continue driving away investment and top taxpayers while the ANC admits the economy is in a state of emergency.

South Africa's economy remains trapped in structural weakness, ranking a dismal 83rd globally for economic freedom with no improvement. High government consumption, punitive tax rates and restrictive labor laws continue driving away investment and top taxpayers while the ANC admits the economy is in a state of emergency.</span

EWN #

SA's economy in state of emergency, says the ANC

Business Insider

Business Insider #

South Africa drops in global economic rankings as fear of investors' exit looms

Bay Ismoyo/Getty Images

Ramaphosa Begins Southeast Asia Tour in Indonesia

South Africa

Indonesia

World

Ramaphosa's visit to Indonesia aims to showcase BRICS solidarity, but the trip rather highlights the bloc’s internal fractures. Behind speeches of “Global South cooperation,” China’s dominance and conflicting national interests overshadow real progress. Jakarta and Pretoria promise shared prosperity, yet trade imbalances and limited investment persist. Genuine growth depends not on political theatre, but on sound governance, market openness, and stable partnerships with trusted global institutions.

Ramaphosa's visit to Indonesia aims to showcase BRICS solidarity, but the trip rather highlights the bloc’s internal fractures. Behind speeches of “Global South cooperation,” China’s dominance and conflicting national interests overshadow real progress. Jakarta and Pretoria promise shared prosperity, yet trade imbalances and limited investment persist. Genuine growth depends not on political theatre, but on sound governance, market openness, and stable partnerships with trusted global institutions.

The Jakarta Post

8% growth remains pipe dream as Prabowo begins second year

Asia Society

Indonesia Brics New Chapter Or Familiar Story

Amid persistent Western dominance and unfulfilled promises of "development," South Africa and Indonesia are turning toward genuine and promising South–South cooperation. Their expanding trade ties, joint industrial plans, and shared BRICS+ agenda signal a shift from dependency to self-determined growth among Global South nations. Rather than relying on IMF prescriptions, both nations invest in real production, local industries, and multipolar partnerships that challenge the old global order.

Amid persistent Western dominance and unfulfilled promises of "development," South Africa and Indonesia are turning toward genuine and promising South–South cooperation. Their expanding trade ties, joint industrial plans, and shared BRICS+ agenda signal a shift from dependency to self-determined growth among Global South nations. Rather than relying on IMF prescriptions, both nations invest in real production, local industries, and multipolar partnerships that challenge the old global order.

2025 10 07 Cyril Ramaphosa Unveils 10 Point Economic Recovery Plan To Tackle Poverty And Unemployment

There is a 75 percent chance that any member country will leave BRICS before 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 75 percent chance that any member country will leave BRICS before 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Ramaphosa Kicks Off Southeast Asia Tour in Indonesia

Ramaphosa BeginsKicks Off Southeast Asia Tour in Indonesia

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Ramaphosa Kicks Off Southeast Asia Tour in Indonesia

Ramaphosa BeginsKicks Off Southeast Asia Tour in Indonesia

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