It’s a busy week in Parliament with multiple committee meetings, a ministerial question session, and a debate marking Human Rights Day. Meanwhile, the South African Reserve Bank will announce its interest rate decision, alongside monetary policy updates from the US Federal Reserve, Bank of England, Bank of Japan, and Bank of Russia.
Monday 17 March
The Democratic Alliance’s Federal Executive is scheduled to meet today. This follows the party’s announcement last week that it would not support the Finance Minister’s Budget as tabled in the National Assembly.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile continues his four-day working visit to Japan, engaging with government and private sector stakeholders to promote South Africa’s manufacturing-led growth and expand export opportunities.
The G20 holds its first Task Force meeting on Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment, and Reducing Inequality since South Africa assumed the presidency.
The European Union hosts the 9th Brussels Conference on Syria, titled “Standing with Syria: Meeting the Needs for a Successful Transition”, aiming to mobilise international support for Syria’s inclusive, peaceful transition following the fall of the Assad regime.
UN-hosted talks on Cyprus begin in Geneva to discuss potential pathways to resolve the long-standing division of the island, which has remained split between the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus in the south and the Turkish-controlled north.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) publishes its Interim Economic Outlook, providing analysis and projections for the global economy and all G20 countries.
It is St Patrick’s Day, a cultural and religious celebration of Ireland’s patron saint.
Tuesday 18 March
Ann Bernstein, Executive Director of the Centre for Development and Enterprise, will host an online conversation with Adrian Wooldridge, global business columnist for Bloomberg Opinion and former author of The Economist’s Lexington, Schumpeter, and Bagehot columns. The discussion will focus on US President Trump’s actions, states, markets, and meritocracy.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies is briefed by ICASA on signal distribution, subscriber rights, RICA amendments, sports broadcasting regulations, and universal service obligations following the spectrum auction.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber will address the Portfolio Committee on the turnaround strategy of the Government Printing Works. There will also be a discussion on political party funding and further deliberations on the Immigration Amendment Bill.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition will brief both parliamentary trade committees on policy priorities for South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
The Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries will discuss the state of waste management and landfill sites, with inputs from the Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane metros.
The National Assembly will hold a debate for Human Rights Day, focused on deepening South Africa’s culture of social justice and human rights.
The G20 holds its first Trade and Investment Working Group meeting to discuss global trade policies, investment flows, and economic cooperation.
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) will host a ‘national dialogue’ at its Roodeplaat campus, ahead of South Africa’s participation in the G20 Agricultural Working Group.
Germany’s outgoing Bundestag votes on lifting the Debt Brake, allowing €500 billion in borrowing for defence and infrastructure. The decision, made before the newly elected parliament takes office, has sparked criticism over democratic legitimacy.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hold talks in Berlin to coordinate their positions on the Ukraine conflict ahead of the upcoming EU summit.
Wednesday 19 March
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu are scheduled to brief the Portfolio Committee on Police on the implementation of the National Rural Safety Strategy.
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy will update the Portfolio Committee on South Africa’s gas industry, focusing on efforts to address the ‘Gas Cliff’ – the anticipated shortage in domestic gas supply as offshore reserves diminish.
Ministers in the governance cluster answer oral questions in the National Assembly.
Statistics South Africa releases the Consumer Price Index for February 2025, providing key inflation data that will inform monetary policy and economic forecasts.
The US Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan to announce interest rate decisions, with both expected to leave rates unchanged at 4.25% – 4.5% and 0.5% respectively.
Thursday 20 March
Statistics South Africa publishes its Coega Special Economic Zone 2024 report, analysing the zone’s economic performance, investment trends, and impact on employment and industrial growth.
The South African Reserve Bank is scheduled to announce its interest rate decision after reducing the repo rate to 7.50% in January. It is expected to maintain this rate or reduce it by a further 25 basis points.
The Bank of England will announce its interest rate decision. Economists expect the base rate to remain at 4.5%, with the next cut anticipated in June.
European Union leaders convene in Brussels for a two-day summit to discuss enhancing European defence capabilities, supporting Ukraine amid ongoing conflicts, and strengthening the EU’s competitiveness in the global market.
A US District Court hearing is scheduled to hear the Associated Press’s request for a preliminary injunction to restore its full White House access. AP’s access was restricted following its decision to continue using “Gulf of Mexico” instead of “Gulf of America,” as mandated by a recent executive order.
The World Happiness Report 2025, which ranks over 150 countries by their happiness levels, is released.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) releases its Global Debt Report 2025, providing comprehensive data on sovereign and corporate debt up to the end of 2024.
It is UN French Language Day. La journée promeut le multilinguisme et l’utilisation du français dans la diplomatie internationale.
Prince William embarks on a two-day visit to Estonia to visit British troops stationed at Tapa Army Base and learn about the country’s response to the conflict in Ukraine and advancements in renewable energy and technology.
Friday 21 March
Today is the deadline for South African Ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool to leave the country after being declared persona non grata by the Trump administration. The expulsion follows Rasool’s comments made during a webinar where he accused the Trump administration of “supremacism”.
It is Human Rights Day. On this public holiday, South Africa commemorates the Sharpeville massacre of 1960 and reaffirms its commitment to human rights and social justice.
It is also the International Day of Forests. Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts and Johannesburg Executive Mayor Dada Morero will lead a tree-planting ceremony at Diepsloot Memorial Park.
The Bank of Russia meets to decide on the key interest rate. The current rate stands at 21%, maintained since October 2024 to address high inflation.
Welsh nationalist party Plaid Cymru holds its Spring Conference in Llandudno, Wales.
Saturday 22 March
Earth Hour takes place today, with millions around the world switching off their lights to raise awareness about environmental conservation and climate action. In South Africa, it runs from 8:30pm to 9:30pm.
The UK’s Liberal Democrats kick off their Spring Conference in Harrogate, reflecting on their strong 2024 general election performance, where they increased their parliamentary seats from 11 to 72.
The 2025 Women’s Six Nations Championship kicks off, featuring six national teams: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales.
Sunday 23 March
Argentine President Javier Milei begins a four-day visit to Israel, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties. The trip includes meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, as well as an address to the Knesset.
The 2025 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix takes place at the Shanghai International Circuit.
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