Interest rates, artificial intelligence, local elections and Bafana Bafana’s World Cup preparations dominate the week’s agenda.
Monday 25 May
Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela addresses a Standard Bank business breakfast in Johannesburg on skills development and economic growth.
Chairpersons of Parliament’s social services cluster committees brief the media on various issues including social grant verification and the National Health Insurance court cases.
A delegation from the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee begins a three-day visit to South Africa focused on geopolitical tensions, trade and security.
The DA in the Western Cape launches the first posters of its 2026 local government election campaign ahead of the upcoming voter registration weekend on 20-21 June.
The African Union marks Africa Day, the annual commemoration of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963.
South Africa hosts its main Africa Day celebration in Moruleng in North West under a cloud of diplomatic tension after several African ambassadors reportedly decided to boycott the event over concerns about anti-immigrant militancy in SA.
The African Development Bank and the African Development Fund open their annual meetings of governors in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
The annual Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia begins, with millions of Muslims expected to travel to Mecca for one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
Pope Leo XIV publishes his first encyclical, Magnifica humanitas, on artificial intelligence and human dignity.
The United Nations marks World Football Day, less than three weeks before the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins in Mexico, the US and Canada.
Tuesday 26 May
The National Assembly debates the budget votes of various departments in mini-plenaries.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies is briefed on the withdrawal of the Department’s Artificial Intelligence policy document following the discovery that parts of it had been ‘hallucinated’ by an AI tool.
The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture receives an update from the Department on foot-and-mouth disease control measures and the national vaccination drive. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced on Sunday that South Africa had secured 13.5 million vaccine doses, including a 3.5 million-dose shipment from Argentina.
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs receives a briefing from the Department of Home Affairs on the asylum seeker backlog and its refusal to accept new asylum applications.
The Department of Home Affairs holds public consultations in Mbombela on the future of the Zimbabwean and Lesotho Exemption Permit programmes following previous legal challenges to the process.
Foreign ministers from the Quad grouping of India, the US, Japan and Australia meet in New Delhi for talks on security and trade tensions linked to China, Iran and global energy supply routes.
NASA outlines plans for its Moon Base programme aimed at establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon.
Wednesday 27 May
President Cyril Ramaphosa hosts a send-off dinner for Bafana Bafana in Pretoria ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where coach Hugo Broos will announce South Africa’s final 26-man squad.
Debates on the budget votes of various departments continue in the National Assembly.
Ministers in the peace and security cluster face oral questions in the National Assembly on organised crime and instability in the SA Police Service, military funding, court system failures, prison overcrowding and South Africa’s diplomatic and border management capacity.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education is briefed on student debt and the withholding of students’ certificates across the post-school education and training system.
The Electoral Commission launches its national voter registration campaign for the 2026 local government elections with the slogan: “Get Up, Show Up, Vote.”
Municipal by-elections are held in Emfuleni in Gauteng and Mafikeng in the North West.
The Centre for Development and Enterprise hosts London School of Economics School of Public Policy dean Andrés Velasco for a discussion with executive director Ann Bernstein on the London Consensus, an economic framework seeking to balance market mechanisms with state intervention.
EU foreign ministers meet in Cyprus for informal Gymnich talks on regional conflicts and foreign policy challenges facing the bloc.
Muslims around the world observe Eid al-Adha.
A tourist accused of throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal appears in federal court in Honolulu, where he faces up to two years in prison.
Thursday 28 May
The South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee announces its latest interest rate decision after inflation accelerated in April, strengthening expectations of a rate hike.
Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy and Transnet signs an agreement for the development of a liquefied natural gas import terminal at the Port of Ngqura near Gqeberha.
A joint sitting of Parliament marks the 30th anniversary of the Constitution.
The National Assembly debates Parliament’s budget and considers reports on oversight visits to the Zonderwater and Pollsmoor correctional facilities.
Friday 29 May
Parliament hosts a training webinar for MPs on the use of artificial intelligence in government, presented by Stellenbosch University.
Military delegations from Israel and Lebanon hold security talks at the Pentagon after agreeing to extend their ceasefire by 45 days following renewed clashes.
The UN Security Council votes in New York on sanctions against South Sudan.
Bafana Bafana face Nicaragua at Orlando Stadium in their final home match before departing to North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Paul McCartney releases The Boys of Dungeon Lane, his first solo studio album in six years, featuring a duet with former Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr.
Hindu communities observe Vaikasi Visakam.
Saturday 30 May
Malta goes to the polls in a snap general election.
Paris Saint-Germain face Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final in Budapest.
Sunday 31 May
Colombians vote in the first round of the presidential election to choose a successor to Gustavo Petro, who is barred from seeking a second term.
Thousands of people are expected to take part in the annual Israel Day Parade along Fifth Avenue in New York City.
The World Health Organization marks World No Tobacco Day.
Brighton and Hove Albion Women face Manchester City Women in the Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium in London.
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