For the first time since the Government of National Unity (GNU) was formed, both the head of state and his deputy are simultaneously on sick leave, leaving South Africa with a Presidency running on acting ministers and well-wishes.
The Presidency announced on Wednesday that President Cyril Ramaphosa has been booked off from all public engagements due to ill health.
“The Presidency wishes to advise that, due to ill health, President Cyril Ramaphosa is currently booked off from public engagements,” spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said in a statement.
“President Ramaphosa, who returned from the BRICS Summit in India on Monday, has 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.”
A day earlier, Deputy President Paul Mashatile – who has been absent from Cabinet and ANC events for weeks – broke his silence to confirm he too is still recovering from a medical procedure and remains on doctors’ orders to rest.
Mashatile, 64, sought to calm speculation that his condition was more serious than admitted.
“Fellow South Africans, as many of you know, I recently underwent a minor medical procedure. I am pleased to share that my recovery is progressing well, and I am regaining strength each day,” he said in a personal message on Tuesday.
“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 stakeholders in government, business and other sectors.”
This is not Mashatile’s first health scare. In 2023 he collapsed during an address in Limpopo and was rushed to hospital in an incident his office attributed to dehydration.
Since then, questions about his health have resurfaced periodically.
Ramaphosa’s illness appears more sudden.
The 73-year-old returned on Monday from a demanding BRICS Summit in India, where he held bilateral talks on trade and de-dollarisation. No further details were given about his diagnosis, but he has been advised to rest and recover completely.
With the double sick note, the executive is effectively being run by committee.
The Presidency said Ramaphosa has been briefed on Mashatile’s progress and that delegated responsibilities – including the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Service Delivery and the South Africa-China portfolio – will be managed by officials.
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