South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa Taken Ill After BRICS Summit 2026 in India
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been booked off from public engagements after returning from the BRICS summit in India. His medical team has advised him to rest and recover, the Presidency said. Ministers will represent him where possible, while Deputy President Paul Mashatile is also recovering after a medical procedure. Ronald Lamola will lead South Africa’s UN delegation.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been booked off from public engagements due to ill health after returning from the BRICS leaders’ summit in India, the Presidency said on Wednesday, September 16. The 73-year-old president returned to South Africa on Monday, September 14, and was advised by his medical team to rest and recover. The Presidency has not disclosed the nature of his illness or how long he is expected to remain away from public duties.
The Presidency said Ramaphosa had asked ministers to represent him at scheduled public engagements where possible. His temporary withdrawal comes as South Africa prepares for the United Nations General Assembly, where Foreign Affairs Minister Ronald Lamola is expected to lead the country’s delegation in Ramaphosa’s absence, according to SABC reporting. India Has Conducted an Extremely Well Organised Summit: South African President.
South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa Taken Ill
PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA BOOKED OFF FROM PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS
The Presidency wishes to advise that, due to ill health, President @CyrilRamaphosa is currently booked off from public engagements.
President Ramaphosa, who returned from the BRICS Summit in India on Monday, has been…
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) September 16, 2026
Cyril Ramaphosa Advised To Rest And Recover
The Presidency said: “President Ramaphosa, who returned from the BRICS Summit in India on Monday, has been advised by his medical team to rest and recover.”
It added: “Where possible, the President has asked the respective Ministers to represent him at scheduled public engagements.” The statement did not provide further medical details or specify when Ramaphosa would resume his public schedule.
Deputy President Also Recovering
Ramaphosa’s absence comes as Deputy President Paul Mashatile is also resting on the advice of his doctors after undergoing a medical procedure. Mashatile has said his recovery is progressing and that he will continue resting until advised otherwise, while responsibilities are handled by his office and other government stakeholders.
The simultaneous absence of the president and deputy president means ministers are expected to represent the government at scheduled engagements where required.
Lamola To Lead UN General Assembly Delegation
Foreign Affairs Minister Ronald Lamola will lead South Africa’s delegation to this year’s United Nations General Assembly in New York in Ramaphosa’s absence, SABC reported.
Lamola’s trip comes amid renewed diplomatic tensions between Pretoria and Washington. The United States has announced visa restrictions targeting certain foreign nationals from South Africa, citing concerns over policies it says involve racial discrimination. South Africa has rejected the US position, saying its policies are intended to address the legacy of apartheid and historical racial inequality. The dispute has added to broader tensions between the two countries.
Ramaphosa Returned From BRICS Summit
Ramaphosa had attended the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi before returning to South Africa on Monday. During the summit, he held bilateral discussions with other leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
For now, the Presidency has provided no indication of a serious medical condition and has given no date for Ramaphosa’s return to public engagements. Its latest guidance is that the president should rest and recover while ministers represent him where necessary.
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