Parliament will hold a two-day debate on the President’s State of the Nation Address.
Monday 16 February
Deputy President Paul Mashatile visits Johannesburg this week to assess water supply disruptions in Gauteng (exact day to be confirmed).
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa convenes a national stakeholder dialogue in Gauteng on customary initiation practices.
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education Sergio Isa Dos Santos conducts an oversight inspection at Bennet Isaacs Primary School following the death of a Grade R pupil.
ActionSA’s Central Candidate Selection Committee interviews shortlisted contenders for Johannesburg mayoral candidate, including party leader Herman Mashaba.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Budapest as part of a visit to Eastern Europe to strengthen ties with conservative governments aligned with President Donald Trump.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visits Beirut for talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
India hosts the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, bringing together leaders and ministerial delegations to discuss AI governance, safety and shared infrastructure.
Proteas Women host Pakistan Women in the third T20 International at Willowmoore Park in Benoni (moved from Kimberley).
Tuesday 17 February
The National Assembly begins its debate of the President’s State of the Nation Address.
Also in Parliament:
- The Communications Portfolio Committee receives first and second quarter performance and expenditure briefings from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, the Film and Publication Board, the .ZA Domain Name Authority and the State Information Technology Agency.
- The National Assembly meets virtually to consider a request from the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to extend its mandate beyond 20 February.
- Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau will engage with stakeholders on the crisis in the film industry following protests in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
- The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education engages the Department and Umalusi on the 2025 NSC examination results.
- The Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources meets the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association delegation.
Stats SA releases the Quarterly Labour Force Survey results for Q4 2025.
Ukraine, the United States and Russia will hold a new round of talks in Geneva on a possible pathway to peace in Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron begins a state visit to India for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Tony Blair Story, a three-part documentary featuring an in-depth interview with the former prime minister, premieres in the UK.
The UEFA Champions League knockout phase begins.
Wednesday 18 February
The National Assembly continues its debate on the President’s State of the Nation Address.
Also in Parliament:
- The Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia will brief the Select Committee on Security and Justice on escapes by criminals from custody.
- The Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour is briefed on the first and second quarterly performance of the Compensation Fund and Unemployment Insurance Fund.
- A joint meeting of the Portfolio Committees on Higher Education, Home Affairs and Employment and Labour receives a briefing on the employment of foreign academics at universities.
- The Portfolio Committee on Social Development receives the Central Drug Authority’s annual report.
Stats SA will release the Consumer Price Index for January 2026.
Danish King Frederik X is on an official visit to Greenland to reaffirm ties amid renewed US interest in acquiring the Arctic territory.
Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify in a landmark Los Angeles trial over claims that social media companies deliberately designed addictive features that harm children.
US Senator Bernie Sanders launches a campaign in Los Angeles for a proposed California “billionaires tax” initiative aimed at funding healthcare amid federal cuts.
Christians observe Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent.
The Proteas face the United Arab Emirates in a T20 World Cup group-stage match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Thursday 19 February
President Cyril Ramaphosa will respond to the debate of The State of the Nation Address in the National Assembly.
The UN Security Council will hold briefings on conflicts in Sudan and the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump chairs the first Board of Peace meeting in Washington DC, where member states discuss Gaza reconstruction funding and a UN-authorised stabilisation force.
London Fashion Week begins.
Friday 20 February
Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae delivers the State of the Province Address at the Free State Provincial Legislature in Bloemfontein.
In Parliament:
- The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs engages the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources on issues relating to Richards Bay Minerals.
- The Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition meets the Minister and other stakeholders on obstacles to the development of the Atlantis SEZ and the Saldanha Bay IDZ.
- The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements receives a briefing from the Commission for Gender Equality on women farm workers.
The United Nations celebrates the World Day of Social Justice to tackle poverty, exclusion, gender inequality, and unemployment.
Saturday 21 February
ActionSA announces its Johannesburg mayoral candidate.
International Mother Language Day is observed to promote linguistic diversity and the protection of mother tongues.
Sunday 22 February
Laos holds parliamentary elections for all 175 seats in the National Assembly, with the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party expected to retain control in the one-party state.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva begins a three-day state visit to South Korea for a summit with President Lee Jae Myung.
Proteas Women play Pakistan in the first ODI of a series in Bloemfontein.
If you would like an event to be considered for this newsletter, please email:
Ockham Communications relies on a range of sources to compile the Ockham Observer and cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or omissions.