South African President Ramaphosa Falls Sick Days After Xi Jinping 'Stroke' Rumours Spread Online

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been booked off from public engagements due to ill health, days after returning from the BRICS Summit in India, where Chinese President Xi Jinping later became the subject of unverified online 'stroke' rumours.

South Africa's Presidency confirmed Ramaphosa's illness on Wednesday, 16 September, saying the 73-year-old had been advised by his medical team to 'rest and recover'. It did not disclose the nature of his condition.

Ramaphosa Ill After BRICS Return

Ramaphosa returned from New Delhi on Monday after attending the 18th BRICS Summit, held from 12 to 13 September under India's chairship.

The Presidency said ministers would represent him at scheduled public engagements where possible. It did not say when he was expected to resume his duties.

His illness also raises questions over upcoming international engagements as he recovers and ministers step in to cover scheduled appearances.

Ramaphosa had been active throughout the BRICS gathering. On 13 September, he addressed a session on inclusive global growth, calling for deeper cooperation between member states on trade, finance, technology and sustainable development.

Official Chinese records also show Xi attended the summit's second session that morning alongside Ramaphosa and other BRICS leaders.

The two presidents were among several major world leaders gathered in New Delhi for discussions spanning global governance, economic cooperation and development. Their attendance placed both at the centre of one of the year's most closely watched gatherings of emerging economies.

Xi 'Stroke' Claims Remain Unverified

Ramaphosa's confirmed illness comes as claims about Xi's health continue to circulate online following the same summit.

A post on X by Wanjun Xie alleged that Xi fainted during the gathering, received emergency treatment from his travelling medical team and later returned to Beijing, where he was allegedly taken to the PLA General Hospital, commonly known as Beijing 301 Hospital.

The post further claimed Xi had suffered an ischaemic stroke. No medical records, hospital statement or other independently verifiable evidence was provided to substantiate the diagnosis.

China has made no announcement saying Xi suffered a stroke or was hospitalised after returning from India.

Beijing's official account instead states that Xi attended Session II of the summit on the morning of 13 September and delivered a statement before returning to Beijing that evening.

His departure was also consistent with the previously announced 12 to 13 September schedule for the summit.

No Evidence Illnesses Are Connected

The timing of Ramaphosa's confirmed illness has drawn renewed online attention to claims about Xi, as both leaders attended the same gathering.

However, there is currently no evidence that Ramaphosa's illness is connected to the unverified allegations about Xi, or that either condition was caused by attending the summit in India.

South Africa has not disclosed the cause of Ramaphosa's illness, while Chinese authorities have not confirmed that Xi experienced any medical emergency.

The distinction is significant. Ramaphosa's absence from public duties has been formally announced by his government, while the more serious claims surrounding Xi continue to originate from social media without medical documentation.

For now, the overlap is limited to timing and location: both leaders attended the BRICS Summit in New Delhi before separate health claims began attracting attention online.