OCKHAM OBSERVER

An eye on the week ahead

Gender-based violence in focus

South Africa begins 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.

Monday 24 November
President Cyril Ramaphosa attends the 7th AU–EU Summit in Luanda, where African Union and European Union Heads of State will discuss peace and security, economic integration, climate resilience, digital transformation, migration and human development.

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi leads South Africa’s delegation at the Second International Conference on Justice in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela launches a major road maintenance drive in Mogale City as part of a province-wide programme to rehabilitate key mobility corridors and improve road safety.

A North West Provincial Legislature ad hoc committee begins public hearings into allegations that Premier Lazarus Mokgosi improperly influenced the appointment of the Naledi Local Municipality Municipal Manager.

The UN Security Council holds its monthly briefing on the Palestinian question, with Deputy Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov expected to speak on the fragile Gaza ceasefire.

Tuesday 25 November
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is observed worldwide.

The National Assembly debates the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, which begins today. This follows government’s decision on Friday to officially classify gender-based violence and femicide as a national disaster.

The National Assembly will decide whether to establish an ad hoc committee to address violent crime and murder in Cape Town; it will also consider ratifying the agreement to establish the African Export-Import Bank.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will answer questions in the National Council of Provinces on public-private partnerships to address water and sanitation failures, the water crisis in townships and rural areas, policing and justice issues linked to gang violence, and various land restitution projects.

In Parliament:

  • The Standing and Select Committees on Finance hold a joint meeting to consider the draft committee report on the revised and proposed fiscal framework.
  • The Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources is briefed by the Department on the cadastral system.
  • The Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries and the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture hold a joint meeting on the implementation of high-level panel recommendations.

Wednesday 26 November
Ministers from Cluster 5 (Economics) will answer questions in the National Assembly.

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson will make a statement to the National Assembly on the South African Construction Action Plan.

Also in Parliament:

  • The Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities adopts a report on statutory rape.
  • A joint sitting of the Standing Committee on Finance and the Select Committee on Finance considers and adopts the committee report on the revised and proposed fiscal framework.
  • The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education receives a series of briefings on readiness for the 2026 academic year.

Municipal by-elections are held in Makana, Kouga and Kou-Kamma in the Eastern Cape, Johannesburg and Merafong City in Gauteng, Mandeni in KwaZulu-Natal, and Hantam and Siyancuma in the Northern Cape.

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivers the Autumn Budget in the House of Commons, outlining tax and spending measures to reduce government debt, address NHS waiting lists and ease the cost of living.

World Sustainable Transport Day highlights global efforts to expand safe, low carbon and accessible transport systems.

Thursday 27 November
President Cyril Ramaphosa takes part in the outgoing Botswana-South Africa Bi-National Commission in Gaborone, focusing on bilateral cooperation and cross-border priorities.

The National Assembly will consider the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development’s recommendation of Advocate Dinkie Portia Dube as Deputy Public Protector.

The National Assembly will also consider the Standing Committee on Finance’s report on the 2025 revised and proposed fiscal framework.

StatsSA will announce the Producer Price Index for October 2025, a key measure of inflation in the country.

Pope Leo XIV is in Turkey to meet President Recep Erdogan and celebrate mass in Istanbul.

General elections take place in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Thanksgiving is celebrated in the United States.

Friday 28 November
The National Assembly holds mini-plenary sessions to debate ending the 30% matric pass mark, establishing an ad hoc committee to investigate alleged rand manipulation, malnutrition interventions and measures to improve reading and numeracy in public schools.

The Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities meets with the Commission for Gender Equality.

Black Friday will see retailers in South Africa and abroad offering shoppers massive discounts on their wares.

Saturday 29 November
Your Party, a new left-wing party in the UK, holds its inaugural conference in Liverpool as tensions surface between founders Jeremy Corbyn MP and Zarah Sultana MP over party leadership, internal democracy and the inclusion of far-left groups.

The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is observed amid a fragile Gaza ceasefire following severe violence, mass displacement and a deepening humanitarian crisis.

The Springboks play Wales in Cardiff, marking the final game of the Autumn Nation Series.

Sunday 30 November
Honduras will hold elections for its President and Members of Parliament.

Kyrgyzstan will hold a snap election to appoint members of its Supreme Council following a self-dissolution of Parliament in September to consolidate President Sadyr Japarov’s power.

Switzerland will hold referendum votes on compulsory military service for young men and inheritance-based taxes.

Pope Leo XIV begins a three-day visit to Lebanon, meeting Christian communities in Beirut, Annaya, Harissa and Bkerké as the country faces renewed Israeli strikes near the southern border and a deepening economic crisis.

The Proteas will play their first ODI match against India in Ranchi.

The Qatari Grand Prix will take place at the Lusail International Circuit.

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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.