South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has temporarily stepped away from his public duties due to ill health following his return from the BRICS summit in India.
His doctors have advised the 73-year-old leader to rest and recover, with government ministers stepping in to cover his scheduled events.
The news comes at a tricky time, as Deputy President Paul Mashatile is also resting while recovering from a minor medical procedure.
With both top leaders temporarily out of the spotlight, cabinet officials are keeping government work running just as the country gears up for local elections in November.