South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has temporarily withdrawn from public engagements after returning from the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in India, with the Presidency saying he has been advised by his medical team to rest and recover.
The Presidency announced the development on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, without disclosing the nature or severity of the health issue affecting the 73-year-old president.
“Where possible, the president has asked the respective ministers to represent him at scheduled engagements”, his office said in a statement.
His absence comes as Deputy President Paul Mashatile also remains away from public duties while recovering from minor medical procedure.
Mashatile said his recovery was progressing well, adding that he was regaining strength daily.
“On the advice of my doctors, I will continue resting until advised otherwise while work and delegated responsibilities continue to be underway in the capable team in my office with other stakeholder in government, business and other sectors”, he said.
The simultaneous absence of Ramaphosa and Mashatile leaves South Africa’s two highest-ranking political leaders temporarily away from public engagements.
For Ramaphosa, the Presidency has urged no alarm, announcing simply that he has been booked off from public engagements and advised to rest.
The development has the country enters an increasingly busy political period ahead of the local government elections scheduled for November 4, 2026.
The BRICS Summit, which concluded in New Delhi on Sunday, brought together leaders of China, India, Russia, Brazil and South Africa, with discussions centered on global economic growth and major international issues.
-9News Nigeria.
