Ayanda Dlodlo has been named South Africa’s ambassador-designate to France

New Appointment: Former State Security Minister Ayanda Dlodlo has been named South Africa’s ambassador-designate to France by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Succession: She succeeds Nathi Mthethwa, who died in September 2025 after serving as ambassador since 2024.

Previous Roles: Dlodlo served as Public Service & Administration Minister (2018) and State Security Minister (2019) under Ramaphosa.

July 2021 Unrest: She held the security portfolio during the civil unrest and has said she felt unfairly scapegoated for intelligence failures.

World Bank Role: She resigned from cabinet and parliament in April 2022 to join the World Bank’s board as an executive director for Angola, Nigeria, and South Africa.

Ramaphosa’s France Visit: Her appointment comes ahead of Ramaphosa’s two-day working visit to France (July 10–12).

Visit Agenda: Ramaphosa will co-chair a UNESCO steering committee on education (SDG 4), attend the Transforming Education Summit Stocktake, and commemorate the Battle of Delville Wood with a wreath-laying and UNESCO plaque unveiling.

Economic Context: France is the 11th-largest foreign investor in South Africa, with nearly 480 companies; both countries aim to double bilateral trade by 2027 and have launched a new Franco-South African business council.