The world’s attention is on Gaza as a fragile peace deal unfolds.
Monday 13 October
Hamas is expected to release all 20 living Israeli hostages under the Gaza ceasefire deal brokered by US President Donald Trump. In return Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 Gaza detainees, and facilitate the flow of aid.
Trump is due to visit Israel for four hours where he will address the Knesset and meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and families of hostages.
Trump will then travel to Egypt to co-chair a peace summit with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. World leaders in attendance include UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi hears evidence from suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya. Sibiya’s home was raided by police last week as part of ongoing investigations into the alleged criminal infiltration of the South African Police Service.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis joins Ann Bernstein, Executive Director of the Centre for Development and Enterprise, for an online discussion on what his administration is getting right.
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson signs a South Africa–UK memorandum of understanding on infrastructure collaboration in London with Sir Chris Bryant, Minister of State at the UK Department for Business and Trade.
Environment Minister Dion George opens the final G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group meeting in Cape Town.
Public schools in South Africa reopen today for the start of the fourth term.
The 2025 Annual Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund begin in Washington DC, bringing together finance ministers and central bankers from 191 member countries.
The South African Pharmacy Council holds a virtual media briefing on the Supreme Court of Appeal ruling on expanding pharmacists’ authority to initiate HIV and Aids treatment.
The World Health Organization release its 2025 Global Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance Report.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is observed in the Americas as a counter-celebration to Columbus Day historically held on the same day.
South Africa faces Bangladesh in the Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Tuesday 14 October
President Cyril Ramaphosa answers questions in the National Council of Provinces on service delivery in Cape Town, corruption allegations against Minister Thembi Simelane, localisation, the collapse of commuter rail, atrocities in Gaza, and his 2018 promise of ‘a new dawn’.
In Parliament:
- The Standing Committee on Public Accounts continues its inquiry into the Road Accident Fund.
- The Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture hears from Athletics South Africa President James Moloi, who is accused of deliberately misleading the committee on financial matters.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition hosts a three-day export promotion symposium in Midrand.
Tshwane Executive Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya and her multiparty coalition government present a one-year feedback report on the city’s 6-Priority Action Plan at Lucas van den Berg Sports Ground in Pretoria.
US tariffs on timber and furniture imports come into effect, introducing a 10% duty on lumber and 25% on cabinets and upholstered furniture.
The International Monetary Fund releases its World Economic Outlook at a press briefing in Washington, DC.
Bafana Bafana host Rwanda in a must-win FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Mbombela Stadium.
Wednesday 15 October
President Ramaphosa meets with his Cabinet before chairing a meeting of the National Security Council at Tuynhuys in Cape Town.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile co-chairs the inaugural South Africa–Türkiye Bi-National Commission in Ankara, before heading to the Türkiye-Africa Business Forum in Istanbul.
Education quality assurance body Umalusi briefs the media in Pretoria on the state of readiness for the 2025 end-of-year national examinations.
Municipal by-elections take place in Dr A.B. Xuma (Eastern Cape), the City of Johannesburg (Gauteng), Musina (Limpopo), Ramotshere Moiloa (North West), Langeberg and Swellendam (Western Cape).
In Parliament:
- The Standing Committee on Finance is briefed by the Accounting Standards Board, Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors, Pension Funds Adjudicator, Financial Intelligence Centre, and the Development Bank of Southern Africa on their annual reports.
- The Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition is briefed by the National Gambling Board and the National Lotteries Commission on their annual reports.
- The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure is briefed by the Department and the Property Management Trading Entity on their performance reports and financial statements.
The Russia–Arab Summit scheduled for today in Moscow has been postponed due to the ongoing Gaza peace negotiations.
Thursday 16 October
President Cyril Ramaphosa convenes a Health Sector Collaboration meeting at Tuynhuys in Cape Town.
In Parliament, ministers in the economics cluster answer questions in the National Council of Provinces on the cost of electricity, loadshedding, Eskom maintenance, renewables, and the draft Mineral Resources Development Bill.
Israel observes its national day of remembrance for the victims of Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attacks, coinciding with the Jewish festival of Simhat Torah’s closing day.
The OECD launches its Social Connections and Loneliness in OECD Countries report, the first such international comparative assessment across member states.
World Food Day is observed, marking the 80th anniversary of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
Friday 17 October
President Cyril Ramaphosa participates in the 7th Social Justice Summit at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed worldwide.
Saturday 18 October
Government of National Unity Leaders meet for a retreat in the Western Cape to review progress and strengthen collaboration.
Millions of Americans join nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations, a mass mobilisation against what organisers describe as President Trump’s authoritarian overreach.
World Menopause Day is observed globally to raise awareness, promote access to support and reduce stigma around menopause.
Sunday 19 October
Bolivia holds a presidential run-off election, following a first-round vote that ended two decades of dominance by the Movement for Socialism.
The United States F1 Grand Prix is held in Austin, Texas.
International Breast Cancer Day is marked to promote early diagnosis and access to treatment.
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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.