South Africa’s budget process moves into a critical phase ahead of the 3 April deadline for parliamentary approval. Key finance committee meetings take place this week, while budget speeches will be delivered in five provincial legislatures. Globally, the Israel-Palestine conflict and the war in Ukraine continue to dominate the agenda.
Monday 24 March
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy conducts oversight visits to key energy sites, including Kusile – one of Eskom’s largest coal-fired power stations – and the decommissioned Komati plant, which is being repurposed into a renewable energy hub.
The Portfolio Committee on Police embarks on oversight visits to the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal to address organised crime and extortion. Extortion cases have surged in these provinces, particularly in the construction and transport sectors.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile leads South Africa’s World TB Day commemoration in KwaZulu-Natal. South Africa continues to battle one of the world’s highest TB burdens, with around 56,000 deaths annually.
Deputy Minister of International Relations Alvin Botes leads a symposium on South Africa’s foreign policy approach. This takes place amid tensions with the United States following the expulsion of Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool.
South Africa’s G20 Sherpa, Zane Dangor, briefs the UN General Assembly as preparations continue for the hosting of the G20 Summit.
Senior officials from the United States, Russia and Ukraine meet in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This meeting follows US President Trump’s phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin which resulted in a 30-day halt on attacks targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva begins a state visit to Japan, marking the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The International Energy Agency releases its Global Energy Review 2025, assessing global energy demand and emissions trends across major fuels and technologies.
Tuesday 25 March
Provincial finance MECs deliver their budget speeches in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, the Eastern Cape, and Northern Cape.
Parliament’s Standing and Select Committees on Finance hold public hearings on the 2025 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals – a key stage in scrutinising the assumptions underpinning the national budget.
The Standing Committee on Appropriations is briefed by the Financial and Fiscal Commission on the 2025 Division of Revenue Bill. This forms part of Parliament’s scrutiny of the allocation of national revenue across the three spheres of government.
The Portfolio Committee on Minerals and Petroleum Resources begins an oversight visit to the Strategic Fuel Fund in Saldanha and the Astron Energy refinery in Milnerton, Cape Town.
Statistics South Africa releases the Quarterly Employment Statistics for December 2024.
The United Nations marks the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko will be sworn in for a seventh term following the disputed January election, which was widely criticised by opposition groups and rejected by the European Union.
EU health ministers convene in Warsaw for an informal meeting on the mental health of children in the digital age. The meeting comes shortly after the release of new Netflix drama Adolescence, which highlights the psychological impact of social media on teenagers.
South Africa’s men’s football team, Bafana Bafana, face Benin in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match.
Wednesday 26 March
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi delivers the keynote at the G20 Health Working Group meeting in KwaZulu-Natal, focused on health financing, non-communicable diseases, and equitable access to care.
The United Nations Human Rights Council holds its Item 7 debate on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories.
Thursday 27 March
President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the Water and Sanitation Indaba in Midrand focusing on measures to address water security.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will receive letters of credence from incoming Heads of Mission representing around 14 countries, formally welcoming new ambassadors and high commissioners to South Africa.
The Portfolio Committee on Transport begins oversight visits to the ports of Richards Bay and Durban, assessing Transnet’s operations and infrastructure.
Western Cape Provincial Minister of Finance Deidré Baartman delivers the province’s 2025 budget in Cape Town, outlining fiscal priorities for the year ahead.
French President Emmanuel Macron hosts a summit in Paris with European leaders to discuss forming a “coalition of the willing” to provide security guarantees for Ukraine.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature releases an update to the Red List of Threatened Species.
The Nutrition for Growth Summit opens in Paris to mobilise action against global malnutrition.
Friday 28 March
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the keynote address at the Women Economic Assembly, promoting inclusive procurement and women’s economic participation.
The Standing and Select Committees on Finance receive responses from National Treasury and SARS to public submissions on the 2025 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals.
French President Emmanuel Macron hosts Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Paris to discuss Lebanon’s reconstruction following the recent Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is expected to mark Al-Quds Day with a televised address backing Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupation.
A Louisiana immigration court in the US holds a hearing in the deportation case of Palestinian activist and Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil.
Saturday 29 March
The 2025 Billboard Women in Music Awards take place at the YouTube Theatre in Inglewood, California. South African artist Tyla will receive the Impact Award for her role in amplifying Africa’s global music influence.
A partial solar eclipse will occur across parts of Europe, North America and northern Africa, with up to 93% of the sun obscured in some regions. The eclipse is not visible from South Africa.
Sunday 30 March
Palestinians are expected to mark Land Day with protests and strikes against land confiscation. The day commemorates the death of six Palestinians shot by Israeli forces during demonstrations over land rights in 1976.
The UN marks the International Day of Zero Waste under the theme “Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles”, casting a spotlight on an industry that produces 92 million tonnes of waste yearly – the equivalent of a garbage truck of clothing discarded every second.
If you would like an event to be considered for this newsletter, please email: observer@ockhamcommunications.com
Ockham Communications relies on a range of sources to compile the Ockham Observer and cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or omissions.