On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa laughed off rumours that he was hospitalized and in poor health. He spoke to reporters at a wreath-laying ceremony for the late Dr. Enos Mabuza in Mpumalanga.

Speculation about Ramaphosa’s health began Sunday when he missed some ANC events in Mbombela. The party said Deputy President Paul Mashatile would fill in while Ramaphosa dealt with an unspecified “emergency.”

This fueled rumours that Ramaphosa had fallen gravely ill and was hospitalized. However, the President clarified that he simply had some meetings Sunday morning before continuing work from home.

ANC officials had advised Ramaphosa to take the rest of the day off to be well-rested for the busy week of the party’s 112th-anniversary events. However, this was misconstrued as an emergency health issue.

“The news of my illness and that I was in the ICU are extremely exaggerated,” said Ramaphosa on Monday. “I am fit as a fiddle, I have no illness whatsoever, I didn’t collapse.”

The President said he was in good spirits and health as the ANC heads into a week of celebratory events in Mpumalanga. The rumours of his hospitalization or serious medical problems are false, Ramaphosa confirmed. He laughed off the speculation and vowed he was healthy and ready for a vigorous week of party activities.