OCKHAM OBSERVER

An eye on the week ahead

Cabinet Lekgotla a litmus test for the GNU

The two-day Cabinet Lekgotla this week takes place amid the Democratic Alliance’s declaration of a formal dispute over the newly signed Expropriation Act and NHI. Members of Parliament return for committee meetings ahead of next week’s State of the Nation Address and official reopening of Parliament.

Monday 27 Jan
National Police Day will be observed at Kings Park Stadium in Durban to remember the sacrifices of our police officers, and to reflect on the progress made in preventing, combating, and investigating crime.

The ANC’s National Working Committee will meet to decide on the composition of interim party structures in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

The DA’s Federal Council will meet in Johannesburg where it is likely to discuss recent policy disagreements in the Government of National Unity (GNU).

US President Donald Trump is expected to join the House Republicans’ retreat to discuss the party’s legislative agenda and strategy for implementing tax cuts and other manifesto promises.

The UK’s King Charles and other world leaders will gather in Poland to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz where 1.1 million people, mostly Jewish, were murdered by the Nazi regime.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s testimony in his ongoing criminal prosecution case for alleged bribery, fraud, and breach of trust resumes in the Jerusalem District Court.

EU foreign affairs ministers will meet in Brussels to discuss key geopolitical issues, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, as well as political developments in Georgia and Moldova.

Tuesday 28 Jan
The Gauteng High Court will hear the Board of Healthcare Funders’ case to compel the Council for Medical Schemes to allow Low Cost Benefit Options (LCBOs). These pared down medical aid packages, if permitted, would expand access to private healthcare for some 10 million lower-income beneficiaries.

The Statistician-General of South Africa, Risenga Maluleke, will launch the Income and Expenditure Survey 2022/23 Statistical Release and unveil the updated Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket and weights.

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry & Competition will discuss the “dysfunction” at the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS).

The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture will discuss the contamination of food products at several spaza shops, which resulted in a number of deaths.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists will reveal the 2025 Doomsday Clock time in Washington, DC. This year’s clock-setting will consider global threats such as the proliferation of nuclear weapons, artificial intelligence, the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas/Hezbollah conflict, bio-threats and the ongoing climate crisis.

Wednesday 29 Jan
A Cabinet Lekgotla will be held at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria over two days. Taking place at a precarious juncture for the GNU, it  will focus on alignment of priorities and policy ahead of next Thursday’s State of the Nation Address.

The US Federal Reserve’s interest rate-setting meeting is expected to result in a rate hold.

US Senators will assess Robert F. Kennedy’s suitability for Health Secretary at a confirmation hearing.

Thursday 30 Jan
Premier Alan Winde and Western Cape Education Minister David Maynier will host the Western Cape National Senior Certificate 2024 Awards Ceremony at Leeuwenhof, the Premier’s Residence.

Stats SA will publish the most recent producer price inflation (PPI) numbers.

The South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will announce its interest rate decision. Analysts anticipate a 25 basis point cut, potentially lowering the repo rate to 7.5%.

The European Central Bank is widely expected to lower its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points.

The FireAid concert will take place to support victims of the Los Angeles fires, featuring performances by renowned artists including Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Billie Eilish, Green Day, and Joni Mitchell.

Friday 31 Jan
The Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy will be briefed by Eskom on its 2023/24 financial report.

UK border declarations for EU imports come into effect, requiring businesses to comply with full customs documentation for goods entering the UK from the EU.

Saturday 1 Feb
The Ten-Day Dawn begins in Iran, commemorating the events that led to the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the return of Ayatollah Khomeini from exile.

A third group of Israeli hostages is expected to be released, marking a critical development in efforts to de-escalate tensions in the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict

India’s Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, will present the annual budget to the Sansad (Parliament), outlining the government’s financial plans and priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.

Black History Month begins in the US honouring the contributions, history, and achievements of African Americans.

Sunday 2 Feb
Thousands gather on Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania for the annual Groundhog Day celebration. The famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, will emerge to predict whether there will be six more weeks of winter or an early spring.

Trevor Noah hosts the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles for a record-breaking fifth consecutive year.

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Ockham Communications relies on a range of sources to compile the Ockham Observer and cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or omissions.