The 69-year-old president of South Africa, Cyril Ramafoza, tested positive on Sunday COVID-19, although it shows only mild symptoms, the presidency announced.
"The president began to feel unwell after leaving the State Commemorative Prayer for former Vice President Frederick Willem de Klerk in Cape Town earlier today," the statement said.
At the memorial service, Ramafoza, wearing a mask, paid tribute to the last leader of South Africa's white minority government, who helped negotiate its end.
"The president, who is fully vaccinated, is in self-isolation in Cape Town and has delegated all responsibilities to Vice President David Mabuza for next week," the presidency said in a statement.
In recent days, a nationwide outbreak of the virus, believed to be linked to the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus, is infecting about 20.000 people daily. South African scientists see no evidence that the variant is causing a more serious illness.