Mashatile in Türkiye: Paving the Way for Stronger Trade and Investment

Deputy President Paul Mashatile is in Türkiye, leading a high-level South African delegation on a working visit aimed at boosting economic and diplomatic ties between Pretoria and Ankara.

High-Level Dialogues and Investment Talks

On Thursday, Mashatile held discussions with ATA Holding Group, a Turkish conglomerate led by chairman Korhan Kurdoğlu, which is exploring investment opportunities in South Africa. Sectors under consideration include food production, agri-business, cold chain logistics, science and technology, digital transformation, infrastructure, financial services, and tourism.

The talks come on the heels of Wednesday’s landmark South Africa–Türkiye Bi-National Commission (BNC), co-chaired by Mashatile and Turkish Vice-President Cevdet Yılmaz. The BNC concluded with several strategic agreements, including:

• A Joint Declaration establishing the Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO)

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on higher education and training

• An MoU on cooperation in special economic zones and free zones

“These agreements are not just paper; they are the foundation for concrete collaboration that can benefit businesses and communities in both countries,” Mashatile said during a press briefing.

Honouring History and Building Futures

Earlier on Thursday, Mashatile paid homage to Türkiye’s founding father, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, by laying a wreath at Ankara’s Anıtkabir Mausoleum. “I sincerely hope that your immortal spirit will guide our discussions and joint decision-making for mutual development and lasting prosperity,” he said.

The Deputy President’s schedule includes further engagements with leaders from Türkiye’s aerospace and defence sectors, including CEOs of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI/TUSAŞ) and Aselsan. These meetings are intended to open pathways for collaboration in advanced technologies and defence capabilities.

Keynote Speeches and Bilateral Forums

On Friday, 17 October, Mashatile is set to deliver keynote addresses at the South Africa–Türkiye Business Council and at the 5th Biennial Türkiye–Africa Business and Economic Forum in Istanbul. These platforms will bring together government officials, business leaders, and investors from across Africa and Türkiye, reinforcing South Africa’s position as a gateway for trade and investment on the continent.

A Strong Delegation, A Clear Mission

Mashatile is accompanied by a cabinet delegation including Ministers Ronald Lamola (International Relations), Parks Tau (Trade, Industry and Competition), Bonginkosi Nzimande (Science, Technology and Innovation), Angie Motshekga (Defence and Military Veterans), Patricia de Lille (Tourism), and several deputy ministers.

The overarching aim of the visit is to deepen economic cooperation, promote bilateral investment, and strengthen diplomatic relations between the two nations. Social media reaction in South Africa has been largely positive, with stakeholders praising the government’s proactive approach to opening new markets and fostering technology and infrastructure partnerships.

Why This Matters

Türkiye is increasingly seen as a strategic partner for South Africa, particularly in sectors like technology, defence, and trade logistics. By forging stronger ties, Mashatile’s delegation is not only building bridges for investment but also opening avenues for skills transfer, job creation, and innovation across key industries in South Africa.

As Pretoria and Ankara move from agreements on paper to tangible projects, analysts suggest this could mark a significant step in South Africa’s broader strategy to diversify international partnerships and boost economic resilience.

{Source: IOL}

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