Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams Named Acting Health Minister While Motsoaledi Is on Sick Leave

• President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams as Acting Minister of Health from 24 August to 30 September 2026
• The appointment comes while Minister Aaron Motsoaledi remains on sick leave, with Ndabeni-Abrahams still holding her Small Business Development portfolio
• South Africans questioned the appointment, citing her track record in the small business sector and asking why the Deputy Health Minister was overlooked

SOUTH AFRICA — President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams as Acting Minister of Health, effective 24 August to 30 September 2026, while Minister Aaron Motsoaledi recovers from illness.

The announcement was made on 23 August 2026 in an official statement issued by The Presidency in Pretoria, citing section 98 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed that Ndabeni-Abrahams will carry out all functions of the health portfolio for the duration of Motsoaledi's absence.

Ndabeni-Abrahams currently serves as Minister of Small Business Development, a role she retains alongside the acting appointment.

Read also

Phakel'umthakathi laughs off President Ramaphosa's illegal immigration speech at ANC maifesto

Read the statement on X here:

Critics question Ndabeni-Abrahams' suitability

The decision drew swift criticism from South Africans on social media, with many questioning why the Deputy Minister of Health was not considered for the role instead.

A significant portion of the public reaction centred on unresolved questions surrounding the R500 million allocation linked to the spaza shop sector through the Spaza Support Fund, which falls under Ndabeni-Abrahams' existing portfolio. Critics argued the appointment appeared to sidestep accountability rather than address it.

@Nok1daM wrote:

"Running away from R500 m spaza shop issue. Fellow South Africans, let's not stop asking questions regarding this matter. Cyril is spineless. Why not remove and hold her accountable?! All these 'honourable members' are criminals!"

@moniciahorne questioned the logic of the decision:

"Why not the deputy minister of health? Mos all your ministers have deputies, and you choose this one who can't even assist small businesses? We have an unemployment crisis! She needs to do better in her own portfolio!"

Read also

Mbuyiseni Ndlozi reacts after NPA withdraws charges against Dumisani Khumalo

@RamaphiriMpho echoed the sentiment:

"The same Stella who got 500 million spaza shop funds and still doesn't want to account for that money? You're disrespectful shame."

@SabeloGebenga pointed out that the current Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, previously served as Minister of Health under the prior administration, adding:

"If South Africans don't see the reason for the ANC to be completely removed from government, nothing will persuade them to do so. Stella is a certified failure that is being recycled."

@SRamarumo raised concerns about health system readiness, writing:

"I hope we don't have a pandemic outbreak in this period of days."

The Presidency has not publicly addressed the criticism or clarified why the Deputy Minister of Health was not considered for the acting role.

Ramaphosa objects to Impeachment Committee evidence leader

In a related article, Briefly News reported on Cyril Ramaphosa's formal objection to the appointment of Advocate Thandazani Madonsela as the evidence leader of the Section 89 Impeachment Inquiry Committee. This development raises critical questions about the integrity of the parliamentary process and the implications of prior legal ties to the African National Congress on the inquiry's proceedings.

Source: Briefly News