The Finance Minister’s proposed 2% value-added tax (VAT) hike, which derailed last week’s Budget Speech, is set to be discussed at party and Cabinet level this week. Internationally, Russia’s war in Ukraine will be in focus at the G7, United Nations, European Union, and at other summits and bilateral meetings.
Monday 24 Feb
The ANC’s National Working Committee is expected to meet to discuss differences in the party over Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s planned VAT adjustment.
A special Cabinet meeting has been scheduled in Cape Town to resolve divisions over the proposed VAT increase ahead of the postponed Budget Speech, now set for 12 March.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi delivers his State of the Province Address in Pretoria, outlining the provincial government’s priorities for the upcoming year.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, and Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau will brief the media on the Competition Commission’s Health Market Inquiry recommendations, which date back to 2019.
Communications Minister Solly Malatsi hosts a workshop with the World Bank and mobile network operators to make smart devices more affordable.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson continues his working visit to the Middle East to attract infrastructure investment into South Africa.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will host a summit in Kyiv to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to attend.
G7 leaders are scheduled to hold a virtual meeting to discuss the war in Ukraine. The US is resisting efforts to explicitly reference “Russian aggression” in the G7’s anniversary statement, reflecting Washington’s shifting approach to Russia under the Trump administration.
French President Emmanuel Macron will meet US President Donald Trump at the White House following Trump’s recent comments blaming Ukraine for the war and likening President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to a “dictator”. Macron has said he will warn Trump “not to be weak in the face” of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The UN Security Council meets in New York to discuss the maintenance of peace and security in Ukraine.
The EU Foreign Affairs Council meets in Brussels to discuss Russia’s war on Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres opens the fifty-eighth regular session of the UN Human Rights Council at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
China hosts the 62nd session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in Hangzhou, where delegates will begin work on the Seventh Assessment Report and discuss carbon removal technologies and climate finance.
Tuesday 25 Feb
Deputy President Paul Mashatile is scheduled to chair a meeting of the Government of National Unity (GNU) Clearing House Mechanism, which aims to resolve policy disputes and coordinate decision-making among the coalition’s governing parties.
The B20, the official business arm of the G20, will be launched in Cape Town. Keynote speakers include President of the World Economic Forum Børge Brende, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, B20 South Africa Co-Chair Mxolisi Mgojo and B20 Sherpa Cas Coovadia.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to deliver the annual address at the opening of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders in Parliament, Cape Town.
President Ramaphosa is expected to meet with Mark Suzman, CEO and Board Member of the Gates Foundation, to discuss development initiatives focusing on health, education, and economic empowerment.
Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts holds hearings on the finances of the Department of Military Veterans and Denel, as well as investigations by the Special Investigating Unit.
The UK Parliament will hear from Google, TikTok, Meta and X as part of its inquiry into online misinformation and harmful algorithms.
Wednesday 26 Feb
G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meet in Cape Town amid rising tensions over trade and economic policies. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Japan’s Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato are both expected to skip the gathering, citing domestic obligations.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde delivers his State of the Province Address at the NG Church Hall in Beaufort West.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police reviews the latest crime statistics.
The Portfolio Committee on Health receives a briefing from Team Free Sanitary Pads on their petition regarding menstrual health and hygiene management.
The Portfolio Committee on Social Development discusses vulnerabilities in the Social Relief of Distress grant system and legal challenges related to its administration.
Freedom House releases its annual Freedom in the World 2025 report, assessing political rights and civil liberties in 210 countries and territories.
Thursday 27 Feb
North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi and Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha deliver their State of the Province Addresses in Mmabatho and Polokwane respectively.
Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts scrutinises Eskom’s audit outcomes and financial statements for the 2023/24 financial year.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets US President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss the Ukraine conflict and seek American security guarantees.
A US ban on the provision of petroleum services to Russia, initiated by the Biden administration, comes into effect.
Friday 28 Feb
Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and spiritual reflection for Muslims, is expected to begin in South Africa, subject to the sighting of the moon.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli and Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu deliver their State of the Province Addresses in Pietermaritzburg and Mbombela respectively.
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts receives an update from the Special Investigating Unit on its probe into the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
The Rio Carnival begins in Brazil.
Saturday 1 March
Zero Discrimination Day, an initiative of UNAIDS, is observed worldwide to promote equality and human rights.
South Africa faces England in a crucial group match of the ICC Champions Trophy at the National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan.
Sunday 2 March
The first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement is set to conclude, marking six weeks since its implementation.
Tajikistan holds elections for the Assembly of Representatives, the lower chamber of its parliament.
The 97th Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by Conan O’Brien, takes place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Emilia Pérez, a Spanish-language French musical about a drug kingpin who undergoes gender-affirming surgery, leads the nominations with 13.
Approximately 38,000 runners are expected to participate in the 19th Tokyo Marathon.
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