South Africa hosts world leaders at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, with US President Donald Trump notably absent.
Monday 17 November
President Cyril Ramaphosa presides over the swearing-in of Willem Aucamp as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment and Alexandra Abrahams as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris to discuss energy, the economy, defence and security guarantees for Ukraine.
Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina faces a verdict from a special tribunal on whether she ordered security forces to fire on protesters during last year’s student-led uprising. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
The US House of Representatives votes on whether to release all Justice Department files on Jeffrey Epstein, who is accused of sexually abusing and trafficking underage girls.
Tuesday 18 November
President Cyril Ramaphosa attends the launch of the Platreef Project, an underground mine near Mokopane in Limpopo producing platinum-group metals, nickel, copper and gold.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivers the opening address at the G20 Social Summit at the Birchwood Hotel in Johannesburg.
Helen Zille addresses the Cape Town Press Club on “The Battle for Johannesburg” after announcing her candidacy for Mayor of Johannesburg.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson and Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala hand over the Welisizwe rural bridge over the Umzimvubu River at Tebe-Tebe in eMaXesibeni, Alfred Nzo District Municipality.
In Parliament:
- The Portfolio Committee on Tourism is briefed on efforts to promote domestic tourism, including proposals for dual pricing.
- The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation is briefed by National Treasury and the Auditor-General on the financial position of Johannesburg Water and its implications for water security in South Africa’s main economic hub.
- The Standing and Select Committees on Finance and Appropriations hold a joint meeting to discuss the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement.
Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman visits President Donald Trump at the White House. It is the Crown Prince’s first US trip since 2018 as Trump looks to strengthen ties with Gulf allies in the Middle East.
The World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence is marked globally.
Wednesday 19 November
Deputy President Paul Mashatile convenes a meeting of the GNU Clearing House Mechanism, a forum to coordinate policy and resolve disputes within the Government of National Unity.
In Parliament:
- The Standing and Select Committees on Finance hold joint public hearings on the revised and proposed fiscal framework.
- The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure is briefed by the Department on the findings of the Telkom Towers forensic report amid concern that the near R1 billion project could become a “white elephant”.
- The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs concludes its oversight engagement with municipalities in Gauteng.
Stats SA publishes the Consumer Price Index for October 2025, measuring changes in household inflation.
The South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee meets to decide on the interest rate, with economists divided on the prospect of a 25 basis point cut.
The B20 South Africa Summit in Johannesburg brings together global business leaders to finalise policy recommendations to feed into G20 deliberations.
Thursday 20 November
Tonga holds general elections to choose all 26 elected members of the Legislative Assembly, the first poll since ‘Aisake Eke’s election as prime minister in December last year.
The African Union marks Africa Industrialisation Day to promote sustainable industrial development and economic transformation across the continent.
Former US Vice-President Dick Cheney’s funeral will be held at Washington National Cathedral.
EU foreign affairs ministers meet in Brussels to discuss the war in Ukraine, the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East and the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
World Philosophy Day is celebrated internationally to promote philosophical thinking as a tool for critical thought and problem-solving.
Universal Children’s Day is observed worldwide.
Friday 21 November
Deputy President Paul Mashatile takes part in the Vietnam–South Africa Business Forum with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Sandton to promote trade and investment between the two countries.
Women for Change leads a nationwide Women’s Shutdown, calling on women and LGBTQI+ people to withdraw paid and unpaid labour, halt spending and join a 15-minute standstill at midday to demand that gender-based violence and femicide be declared a national disaster.
COP30 is due to conclude in Belém, Brazil, as countries face pressure to show how they will meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
The Miss Universe 2025 pageant takes place in Nonthaburi, Thailand. The event has been mired in controversy over an unauthorised marketing event, alleged casino promotion and the organiser’s treatment of contestants at a sash ceremony.
Saturday 22 November
South Africa hosts the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg as the US boycotts the meeting over alleged persecution of Afrikaners. President Cyril Ramaphosa has rejected the claims and described the US absence as “their loss”. With the US set to take over the G20 presidency next year, President Ramaphosa has also said he will symbolically hand over the presidency to an empty chair.
The Springboks will play Ireland in the Autumn Nations Series at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The Proteas begin their second test against India in Guwahati.
The Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix takes place on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, a night race featuring a 50-lap street course that runs past the city’s major casinos.
Sunday 23 November
Guinea-Bissau holds the first round of presidential and parliamentary elections after months of political turmoil, including the dissolution of parliament and the disqualification of major opposition figures and parties.
The English Premier League stages the North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
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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.