Pretoria: Deputy President Paul Mashatile has expressed South Africa’s deep appreciation for Finland’s unwavering support during the country’s Group of 20 (G20) Presidency and its struggle against apartheid. The Deputy President made the remarks during a bilateral meeting on Wednesday with Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo at OR Tambo House in Pretoria.
According to South African Government News Agency, Prime Minister Orpo’s visit follows South Africa’s successful hosting of the G20 Leaders’ Summit over the weekend in Johannesburg, which was attended by President Alexander Stubb and his delegation. It also comes shortly after the Prime Minister participated in the 7th African Union-European Union (AU-EU) Summit in Luanda, Angola, marking the 25th anniversary of the AU-EU partnership.
Finland operates as a parliamentary republic, where the Prime Minister serves as Head of Government and oversees daily administration, while the President acts as Head of State with a primarily ceremonial role, including responsibilities in foreign policy and military command. Deputy President Mashatile noted that since the dawn of South Africa’s democracy, Finland has recognised the importance of South Africa’s reconstruction and development efforts, contributing through various development partnership agreements and expanding trade and investment across different sectors.
The Deputy President highlighted that bilateral engagement has strengthened recently, especially during the State Visit by former Finnish President Sauli Niinist¶ in April 2023. The visit resulted in several tangible and positive outcomes, including collaboration on water resource management, development of educational models for Early Childhood Development, initiatives aimed at supporting out-of-school youth and adult education, and a joint effort to train young peace mediators.
He noted that yesterday’s visit builds on these high-level engagements and serves to further consolidate bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of trade and investment. He welcomed the inclusion of business leaders in the Finnish delegation, eager to explore new opportunities in smart and sustainable mining, water and built environments, and the development of smart cities.
Water management and digitalisation remain central pillars of bilateral cooperation. The 2023 memorandum of understanding (MoU) on water resources between South Africa and Finland is seen as a significant milestone, particularly emphasising its focus on innovation and technology. The Letters of Intent concluded with several municipalities on water resource management further underscore this commitment.
Minister of Water and Sanitation Penny Majodina’s visit to Finland in August 2025, along with the participation of a Finnish delegation in the inaugural Technical Conference of the Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions of South Africa (AWSISA) earlier this month, highlights the strength of collaboration in this field. Ongoing cooperation in advancing innovation systems and start-up ecosystems continues, particularly in digital infrastructure and low-cost connectivity in township areas, which is expected to create an enabling environment for inclusive development.
Beyond strong bilateral ties, Deputy President Mashatile believes the relationship has increasingly evolved into a partnership in support of Africa’s broader development priorities. Both South Africa and Finland share the conviction that equitable representation in the United Nations and the wider multilateral system is essential for sustainable peace and development. Deputy President Mashatile commended Finland’s consistent and principled support for the comprehensive reform of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, and for its advocacy for a more just, inclusive, and rules-based international order.
In addition, he recognised Finland’s continued partnership on key global challenges, including the strengthening of multilateralism and international law, peacebuilding and mediation, gender equality and human rights, and the global response to climate change. The Deputy President concluded by reflecting on the history of respective struggles and shared solidarity, emphasising that by working together, both nations can help build a better world where the aspirations of all nations and peoples may be realised.