Class of ’25 begins writing the National Senior Certificate examinations.
Monday 20 October
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube briefs the media in Skukuza, Mpumalanga on the state of readiness for the 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations.
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa visits King Zwelozuko Matiwane of the AmaMpondomise Kingship to discuss traditional governance matters.
Environment Minister Dion George hosts a national stakeholder consultation in Johannesburg ahead of COP30 in Brazil.
The Madlanga Commission investigating alleged criminal networks and political interference within the South African Police Service continues in Pretoria.
The Democratic Alliance holds a press conference in Johannesburg where it will “make a seminal announcement about the future of BEE in South Africa”.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets President Donald Trump at the White House. Discussions are expected to focus on US tariffs, critical minerals and Australia’s defence spending.
The EU Foreign Affairs Council meets in Luxembourg to discuss the war in Ukraine and broader regional security issues.
China’s Communist Party Central Committee begins a closed-door plenum in Beijing to discuss the country’s 15th five-year plan for 2026–2030.
Hindu communities in South Africa and around the world celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, symbolising renewal and the triumph of good over evil.
The Proteas play Pakistan in the second Test in Rawalpindi, with Pakistan leading the two-match series 1–0.
Tuesday 21 October
The 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations begin with more than 700,000 candidates writing across South Africa.
In Parliament:
- The Portfolio Committees on Tourism and Employment & Labour hold a joint meeting on the employment of foreign nationals in the hospitality industry.
- The Portfolio Committee on Social Development presents its report on a petition for an increase to the Older Persons Grant.
- The Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources presents its report on a petition for an investigation into corruption at Alexkor.
- The House votes on Julius Malema MP’s resolution on the establishment of an ad hoc committee to investigate apartheid-era memorials in public spaces.
- The Standing Committee on Finance holds public hearings on the annual draft Tax Bills.
- The Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture receives a briefing from the South African Rugby Union the implementation of the PwC report recommendations.
- Transport Minister Barbara Creecy responds to Matthew Cuthbert MP’s petition to restore the vandalised rail link between Daveyton, Springs, Benoni and Johannesburg.
The African Futures Conference hosted by the Institute for Security Studies takes place in Pretoria.
Africa Human Rights Day is observed, commemorating the adoption of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Lawmakers in Japan’s Diet are expected to vote for the next prime minister following the Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership transition.
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy begins a five-year sentence in Paris for criminal conspiracy linked to election funding from Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.
The Proteas Women face Pakistan in the ICC Women’s World Cup in Colombo, needing a win to secure their place in the semi-finals.
Wednesday 22 October
Ministers in the social services cluster will answer questions in the National Assembly on unrest at Fort Hare, matric exam numbers, hunger and malnutrition, oxygen tender irregularities, sex education in early childhood development and a R1-billion hospital food tender.
Also in Parliament:
- Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development Mzwanele Nyhontso will brief the portfolio committee on interventions at the Ingonyama Trust.
- The Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition will shortlist candidates for the National Lotteries Commission Board Chairperson.
- The Portfolio Committee on Health meets for briefings on the illicit cigarette trade and the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill.
Stats SA releases the Consumer Price Index, providing the latest measure of national inflation trends.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis hosts the launch of The Essence of Success by Greg Mills and Emanuele Pirro at City Hall, featuring guest speakers John Steenhuisen and Corné Krige.
The first EU–Egypt summit takes place in Brussels, with European Council President António Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meeting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosts the 2025 Berlin Process summit in London, bringing together leaders from six Western Balkans countries and European partners to strengthen regional cooperation.
King Charles and Queen Camilla begin a state visit to the Vatican, where the King and Pope Leo will pray together in the Sistine Chapel – the first time a British monarch and pope have done so since the Reformation.
Thursday 23 October
In Parliament:
- The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs presents its report on the 2024 national and provincial elections.
- The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education presents its report on the appointment of chairpersons of Sector Education and Training Authorities.
- The Standing Committee on the Auditor-General presents its report on allegations of corruption and maladministration against the Auditor-General.
Former Botswana President Ian Khama, Mcebisi Jonas and Helen Zille speak at the Johannesburg launch of The Essence of Success by Greg Mills and Emanuele Pirro.
European leaders meet in Brussels for a European Council summit chaired by European Council President António Costa. Discussions will include continued support for Ukraine, the economic outlook and prospects for peace in Gaza.
Former US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Royal Festival Hall in London as part of the London Literature Festival, discussing her new memoir 107 Days.
Friday 24 October
In Parliament:
- The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies is briefed on the SA Post Office and Postbank’s annual reports.
- The Standing Committee on Finance conducts public hearings on the annual draft Tax Bills.
- The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education is briefed by Umalusi on readiness for the 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations.
Ireland holds a presidential election to choose a successor to Michael D. Higgins.
The United Nations begins Disarmament Week, dedicated to promoting nuclear disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation efforts.
The UN also begins Global Media and Information Literacy Week which encourages people to critically evaluate information in the age of artificial intelligence.
Saturday 25 October
Ivory Coast holds a presidential election with incumbent Alassane Ouattara seeking another term amid tensions over the exclusion of opposition figures and restrictions on public demonstrations.
The Proteas Women face Australia at Holkar Stadium in Indore in their last ICC Women’s World Cup group-stage match.
Sunday 26 October
Argentina holds mid-term legislative elections, the first under President Javier Milei, to renew half the Chamber of Deputies and a third of the Senate under a new paper ballot system.
US President Donald Trump attends the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur where he is expected to oversee the signing of a peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand following recent border clashes.
The 2025 Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix takes place at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City.
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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.