By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile embarked on a working visit to Turkey in order to co-chair the inaugural Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Ankara on 15 October 2025.
The BNC aims to focus on deepening political, economic and social ties between South Africa and Turkiye which is set on the bones on an agreement made between the two countries back
In 2012 which set up high-level discussions at Deputy and Vice Presidential levels.
Deputy President Mashatile arrived on Wednesday and engaged with Turkiye Vice President Cevdat Yilmaz in order to discuss pending deals and discuss further future opportunities in regards to security, justice and innovation.
Bilateral trade has hit an all time high as South Africa stands as Turkiye’s biggest partner in Sub-saharan Africa.
With global shifts arising, BNC could hold the keys to unlocking billions in investments from renewable energy to mining technology, as well tackling challenges that both countries are currently sharing in regards to skills training and food security.
This working visit is showing growing commitment from South Africa to aspiring towards African Growth and Global South Solidarity.
The BNC acts as a revitalisation of efforts that were made between the two nations of South Africa and Turkiye back in 2012 as this laid the groundwork for regular high-level discussions to be had, however this BNC serves as the first fully fledged effort in this regard.
Signatures are said to be made on several bilateral agreements such as defence collaboration and science exchanges. The diplomatic ties between Turkiye and South Africa date back to the apartheid era, in which Ankara had given the ANC support.
In the first half of the year Turkish shipments to South Africa hit US$ 303.5 million which is part of a near US$10 billion Africa push. South Africa has sent back minerals, fruits and various metals and the BNC aims to narrow the gap in which there is equal trading between the two countries.
However, South Africa’s industrial policy clashes with cheap Turkish clothing imports which places an emphasis on debates made by the global South in regards to fair trade.
The BNC is also expected to bolster the possibility for South Africa to receive tech transfers for the country’s Just Energy Transition.
Vice President of Turkey Cevdet Yilmaz and South African President Paul Mashatile signed the Agreement and Memoranda of Understanding between South Africa and Turkiye which include Joint Declaration on the Establishment of the Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JECTO), Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Higher Education and Training, and Memorandum of Understanding regarding Cooperation in the Field of Special Economic Zones/Free Zones.