Cyril Ramaphosa returned to South Africa and hit a golf ball on a local course just two days after the BRICS summit in New Delhi ended on September 12, 2026.
The 74‑year‑old president, who had been advised to rest by his medical team following the summit, surprised observers by playing a round of golf on a private club in Pretoria.
The BRICS meeting, which brought together leaders from China, Russia, India, Brazil, South Africa, and Ethiopia, was seen as a test of the bloc’s cohesion. After the leaders departed, Western media outlets reported that several of them had fallen ill, a claim that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs denied.
Health officials in South Africa confirmed that Ramaphosa’s doctors had cleared him for light activity, citing normal blood pressure and a stable heart condition. Still, the president’s rapid return to sport has raised eyebrows among medical experts.
Parliament is set to convene a special committee next week to examine the president’s health disclosures and determine whether he meets the constitutional requirement for fitness to hold office.
The inquiry will also look into the medical protocols followed during his brief leave and whether the president’s public appearances could jeopardise national governance.
The golf outing has become a symbol of the broader debate about public servants’ health, with civil society groups demanding greater transparency.
In the days ahead, the South African Health Minister is expected to release a formal statement outlining the medical evidence that underpins the president’s return to duty.
A final report from the parliamentary committee will be delivered by the end of the month, potentially forcing a leadership review if concerns are substantiated.
Tags: South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, BRICS Summit, Health Concerns, Golf