PRETORIA, Monday 24 August 2026 — President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Minister Stella Ndabeni as acting Minister of Health until the end of September while Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi remains on sick leave, the Presidency has announced.
The appointment takes effect from 24 August and runs until 30 September 2026.
According to the Presidency, Ndabeni was appointed in terms of section 98 of the Constitution and will perform the functions of the Health Minister during Motsoaledi’s absence.
The Presidency did not provide additional detail on Motsoaledi’s condition or indicate whether he is expected to return before the acting appointment expires.
The temporary change places Ndabeni in charge of the national health portfolio for just over a month, including oversight of the department’s ongoing policy, administrative and service-delivery responsibilities.
Any further extension or change to the acting arrangement would require a new announcement from the Presidency.
