Motsoaledi Takes Extended Sick Leave as Ndabeni-Abrahams Steps In
PRETORIA – Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams will take control of South Africa’s Health Ministry for more than a month after President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed her Acting Minister of Health while Dr Aaron Motsoaledi remains on sick leave.
The Presidency confirmed on Sunday that Ndabeni-Abrahams will assume the position from 24 August until 30 September 2026, during which she will undertake all functions ordinarily performed by the Health Minister.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in terms of section 98 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996, appointed Minister Stella Ndabeni as Acting Minister of Health,” presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said.
The Presidency has attributed Motsoaledi’s temporary absence to sick leave but has not disclosed further details about his condition. His absence is therefore expected to extend for at least the period covered by Ndabeni-Abrahams’ acting appointment.
The temporary assignment places another significant national portfolio under Ndabeni-Abrahams while she remains Minister of Small Business Development. She is also currently playing an important political role ahead of the 4 November local government elections as chairperson of the ANC’s local government intervention task team.
Her appointment comes while the Health Department continues to deal with significant national responsibilities, making the transfer more consequential than simply filling an empty Cabinet seat. For the next several weeks, decisions and executive responsibilities attached to the health portfolio will fall to a minister whose permanent Cabinet responsibilities ordinarily sit outside the healthcare sector.
Ndabeni-Abrahams has recently been particularly visible in the ANC’s municipal election campaign. Speaking in Johannesburg last week, she argued that deterioration in the country’s largest metro accelerated after the DA took control of the City of Johannesburg in 2016 with support from the EFF.
She simultaneously acknowledged weaknesses in the ANC’s own record in local government, saying the party had learnt lessons since the 2021 municipal elections and pointing to reforms intended to strengthen accountability and address structural problems affecting municipalities.
Her political campaigning will now coincide with responsibility for one of government’s largest and most consequential departments until Motsoaledi is expected to return.
The Presidency has given a clear timeframe for the acting appointment, meaning there is currently no indication that Motsoaledi has been permanently replaced as Health Minister. Ndabeni-Abrahams is expected to hold the portfolio only for the duration of his absence.
For now, South Africa effectively has a Small Business Development Minister simultaneously responsible for overseeing the country’s national health portfolio, with Motsoaledi expected back after 30 September.
Anyone with additional verified information relating to the temporary leadership arrangements at the Department of Health or other developments affecting the national health portfolio can contact TownPress confidentially at press@townpress.co.za.