South Africa’s President Ramaphosa has Covid-19, mildly ill

President, who is vaccinated, started feeling unwell after a memorial service for FW de Klerk in Cape Town

Ramaphosa said infection serves as a caution to all people in the country to be vaccinated

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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on December 2. He has since tested positive for Covid-19. Photo: AFP

Published: 5:16am, 13 Dec 2021Updated: 9:20am, 13 Dec 2021

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday and is receiving treatment for mild symptoms, the presidency said in a statement.

Ramaphosa, who is fully vaccinated, began feeling unwell after leaving a state memorial service for former deputy president F W de Klerk in Cape Town earlier in the day but was in good spirits and being monitored by doctors, it said.

The highly mutated Omicron variant was first detected in South Africa last month and sparked global panic over fears that it is more contagious than other variants.

Ramaphosa would remain in self-isolation in Cape Town for the time being and had delegated all responsibilities to Deputy President David Mabuza for the next week.

On a recent visit to four West African states, the president and the entire South African delegation were tested for Covid-19 in all countries, the statement said.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa sits beside Elita de Klerk, widow of former President FW de Klerk at the state memorial service in Cape Town, South Africa, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

“The president and the delegation returned to South Africa from the Republic of Senegal on Wednesday, 8 December 2021, after obtaining negative test results.