Ramaphosa booked off from public duties after return from BRICS summit

President Cyril Ramaphosa has been booked off from public engagements on medical advice after returning from the BRICS Summit in India, the Presidency said on Wednesday, 17 September 2026.

Medical team advises rest

The Presidency said Ramaphosa returned from the BRICS Summit in India on Monday and that his medical team had advised him to rest and recover.

“President Ramaphosa, who returned from the Brics Summit in India on Monday, has been advised by his medical team to rest and recover,”

his spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said. The Presidency did not disclose the nature of the illness.

Impact on campaign schedule

As a result of the medical advice, the president’s planned campaign programme in eThekwini has been suspended. The ANC said it would share revised programme details once Ramaphosa has recovered and is able to resume public engagements.

ANC statement

The ANC’s national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu, issued a message wishing the president well.

“The ANC joins South Africans in wishing President Ramaphosa strength and good health as he takes the necessary time to rest and recover. We look forward to his return to his responsibilities and public engagements,”

Bhengu said. The party called on members, supporters and the public to allow the president time to recuperate.

Who will represent him

Ramaphosa has asked ministers to represent him at scheduled public engagements where possible while he follows doctors’ orders to rest.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s recent health update

Separately, Deputy President Paul Mashatile this week said his health was improving after a minor medical procedure in early August. Mashatile thanked his family, medical team, colleagues and President Ramaphosa for their support and said he had delegated responsibilities to his office and other government leaders while resting on medical advice.

Mashatile’s office confirmed he had participated virtually in some meetings but that he had missed several public events since July. The procedure came less than two years after Mashatile collapsed at a Limpopo event in 2024, when doctors found nothing serious.