President Cyril Ramaphosa has been booked off from public engagements after returning to South Africa from the high-level BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, with the Presidency confirming that he has been advised by his medical team to rest and recover.
The announcement places a temporary pause on the President’s public programme at a significant moment for South Africa, following an intensive international diplomatic schedule that saw him participate in several major political and economic engagements alongside leaders, business figures and representatives from across the expanded BRICS grouping.
The Presidency made the announcement on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, without providing details about the nature or severity of his illness.
The Presidency confirms Ramaphosa’s medical leave
In a statement, the Presidency said:
“The Presidency wishes to advise that, due to ill health, President Cyril Ramaphosa is currently booked off from public engagements.”
It added that Ramaphosa returned from the BRICS Summit in India on Monday and had subsequently been advised by his medical team to rest and recover.
“Where possible, the President has asked the respective Ministers to represent him at scheduled public engagements,” the Presidency said.
No further medical information has been released by the Presidency.
The announcement means that engagements on the President’s schedule may continue with Cabinet ministers representing him where appropriate, rather than being cancelled altogether.
A major international programme before his return
Ramaphosa had just completed a demanding international programme in New Delhi, where he represented South Africa at the 18th BRICS Summit held from 12 to 13 September.
The summit brought together leaders of BRICS member and partner countries and was held under India’s chairship. The Presidency said the programme focused on issues including global governance, economic cooperation, trade, investment, innovation and sustainable development.
Ramaphosa participated in several high-level sessions during the summit, including discussions on inclusive global governance and strengthening multilateralism, as well as a session focused on inclusive global growth.
He also addressed business leaders during the BRICS Business Forum and participated in the India-South Africa Business Leadership Roundtable.
The speaking engagements and platforms
The BRICS Business Forum is an important platform connecting political leadership with the private sector, bringing together business representatives, investors, entrepreneurs and members of structures such as the BRICS Business Council and BRICS Women’s Business Alliance.
Ramaphosa’s engagement at the forum centred on the role of economic cooperation in translating BRICS ambitions into investment, trade and economic development.
He told business leaders that the BRICS Business Council’s work was important in turning the bloc’s ambitions into “meaningful economic cooperation”, while highlighting the role of governments in creating conditions for trade and investment.
At the India-South Africa Business Leadership Roundtable, the President addressed the strengthening of economic ties between the two countries, with discussions taking place against a backdrop of changing global supply chains, industrial policy, the energy transition and the growing role of digital technologies.
These engagements placed Ramaphosa in direct contact with senior political and business leaders at one of the year’s most significant multilateral gatherings for emerging economies.
South Africa’s role on the BRICS stage
South Africa remains one of the original members of the expanded BRICS grouping and has used the platform to pursue greater economic cooperation, trade and investment opportunities, while advocating for stronger representation for developing countries in global institutions.
The 2026 summit was particularly significant as BRICS now consists of 11 member states, including South Africa, Brazil, Russia, India, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Against that backdrop, Ramaphosa’s participation was not limited to ceremonial appearances. His programme included political discussions with fellow heads of government as well as engagements designed to strengthen South Africa’s economic and diplomatic relationships.
Ministers to step in where possible
The Presidency’s decision to have ministers represent Ramaphosa at scheduled engagements reflects an effort to maintain continuity in government business while the President rests.
The Presidency has not indicated how long Ramaphosa will remain booked off or when he is expected to resume public engagements.
For now, the official position is that the President is resting on medical advice following his return from India, while government responsibilities and scheduled public engagements continue with ministerial representation where possible.
