President Ramaphosa quietly convenes a retreat for GNU leaders to discuss the state of the coalition government.
Monday 3 November
President Cyril Ramaphosa concludes a two-day retreat with leaders in the Government of National Unity at the Cradle of Humankind in Krugersdorp. The closed-door meeting is expected to focus on the functioning of the coalition, its possible expansion and the 2026 budget.
The DA in Gauteng conducts an oversight inspection at Jumpers Informal Settlement to assess progress in electrification following claims that the contractor has abandoned the site.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin visits China for talks with Premier Li Qiang at the 30th regular meeting between the Chinese and Russian heads of government.
Turkey hosts a meeting of foreign ministers from Muslim-majority countries in Istanbul to discuss the Gaza ceasefire.
The OECD launches its Africa’s Development Dynamics 2025: Infrastructure, Growth and Transformation report.
Tuesday 4 November
Ministers in the economics cluster will answer questions in the National Council of Provinces on land restitution, blacklisting corrupt contractors, illegally occupied state farms, Independent Development Trust corruption, long-distance passenger trains and electronic driver’s licences.
Also in Parliament:
- Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa will brief the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy on the Integrated Resource Plan 2025.
- Deputy Minister of Police Shela Paulina Boshielo submits evidence before the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
- The Standing Committee on Finance will hear responses from National Treasury and SARS to submissions on the Rates Bill, draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill and draft Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill.
The Electoral Commission’s Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo briefs the media on preparations for the 2026/7 local government elections at Election House in Centurion.
Minister in the Presidency Maropene Ramokgopa leads a delegation to the World Summit for Social Development in Doha.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde hosts the Regional Leaders’ Summit in Cape Town with state-level delegations from Bavaria, Georgia, Québec, São Paulo, Shandong and Upper Austria in attendance.
The Africa Renewables Investment Summit opens in Cape Town.
New York City will hold its mayoral election, with key candidates including Democrat Zohran Mamdani, independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
The Proteas face Pakistan in the first one-day international in Faisalabad, following their 2–1 defeat in the T20 series.
Wednesday 5 November
Ministers in the economics cluster will answer questions in the National Assembly on unfair pay practices, employment quotas, the National Food and Nutrition Security Plan, Treasury’s reliance on consultants, preferential procurement and the SA National Petroleum Company.
Also in Parliament:
- The Portfolio Committees of Human Settlements and Public Works & Infrastructure will be briefed on the George building collapse.
- The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration will be briefed by organised labour on the Government Employees Medical Scheme.
- The Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament will inspect the reconstruction of parliamentary infrastructure damaged in the 2022 fire.
Municipal by-elections will be held in Fetakgomo Tubatse (Limpopo) and Govan Mbeki (Mpumalanga).
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde opens the Western Cape Investment Summit at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
The African Investigative Journalism Conference opens at Wits University with sessions on media viability, AI in journalism and cross-border investigative reporting.
The New South Institute hosts a talk at GIBS in Johannesburg on ‘Unpacking the Shadow State’ featuring Ivor Chipkin, Jeff Wicks, Adv Andy Mothibi, and whistleblower Martha Ngoye.
The US Supreme Court hears oral arguments in a landmark case testing President Donald Trump’s authority to impose sweeping global tariffs under emergency powers.
Prince William visits Brazil for the Earthshot Prize awards ceremony to celebrate global environmental innovation ahead of the COP30 climate summit.
Guy Fawkes Day is celebrated in the UK to commemorate the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
Thursday 6 November
President Cyril Ramaphosa will answer questions in the National Assembly on the appointment process for the National Director of Public Prosecutions, security force deployment in Richards Bay, outcomes sought from the G20 Summit, gang violence in Cape Town, illegal migration policy and measures to counter global trade tariffs.
Ministers in the economics cluster will answer questions in the NCOP on financial non-performance of provinces/municipalities, FICA compliance, monitoring and evaluating provincial grants, recovery of debts by government and exorbitant retail prices of essential food.
News24 Editor-in-Chief Adriaan Basson will moderate a discussion in Cape Town between investigative journalists Pieter du Toit, Jeff Wicks and Kyle Cowan (aka ‘The Truth Bomb Squad’) on their respective new books – The Dark Prince, The Shadow State and Mafia Land.
Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Nomalungelo Gina will open Biovac’s new product development laboratory in Cape Town.
COP30, the 30th UN climate conference, opens in Belém, Brazil – marking ten years since the Paris Agreement – as world leaders gather to assess progress toward the 1.5°C goal and negotiate new commitments on fossil fuels, finance, and renewable energy.
Aston Villa’s Europa League match against Maccabi Tel Aviv takes place at Villa Park with visiting supporters banned from attending for safety reasons. The decision has been condemned by Jewish community leaders and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Malaria Day is observed in the Southern African Development Community.
The Proteas face Pakistan in the second ODI of the series in Faisalabad.
Friday 7 November
Applications close for the position of National Director of Public Prosecutions, following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s establishment of a selection panel chaired by Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi. The panel will recommend three candidates to succeed Adv Shamila Batohi when her term ends in January 2026.
Public comments close on the Department of Transport’s draft Airfreight Strategy which aims to modernise the air cargo sector and integrate drone technology.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán meets US President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss a possible US-Russia meeting, and Hungary’s request for exemption from US energy sanctions.
Bob Dylan begins his ‘Rough and Rowdy Ways’ UK tour in Brighton, with audiences required to lock their phones away during the concert.
Saturday 8 November
DJ Black Coffee will host the ‘Africa Is Not a Jungle’ benefit concert in Durban featuring leading African artists.
Rodrigo Paz Pereira is inaugurated as President of Bolivia, marking a shift to the right for the country after nearly two decades under a socialist government.
The Springboks face France in the Autumn Nations Series at the Stade de France.
The Proteas play Pakistan in the third and final ODI of the series in Faisalabad.
Outkast, Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden and The White Stripes will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Sunday 9 November
Leaders from the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States meet in Santa Marta, Colombia for the Fourth CELAC-EU Summit.
The Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix takes place at Interlagos in São Paulo.
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.