Members of Parliament return from their constituencies for a week of debates and committee meetings.
Monday 20 April
EFF leader Julius Malema begins the week facing a five-year prison sentence for a firearms conviction, with leave granted to appeal the sentence.
Suspended Ekurhuleni Deputy Metro Police Chief Julius Mkhwanazi appears in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on corruption charges following his arrest in a probe linked to the Madlanga commission.
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi hosts an engagement with legal practitioners in Pretoria, focusing on transformation and the allocation of state legal work.
Members of Parliament travel back to Cape Town from their constituencies.
The Boston Marathon takes place in Massachusetts on Patriots’ Day.
Tuesday 21 April
The National Assembly meets to debate the Special Appropriation Bill, which provides for additional government spending, and the Division of Revenue Bill, which allocates funds across national, provincial and local government.
Parliament also considers the appointment of the Chairperson of the National Lotteries Commission.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Agriculture receives an update on foot-and-mouth disease control interventions and the ongoing vaccination drive.
The South African Reserve Bank releases the Monetary Policy Review, its assessment of economic conditions and the outlook for inflation and interest rates.
The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry releases its business confidence index for March, another gauge of economic sentiment.
The EU Foreign Affairs Council meets in Luxembourg to discuss Russia’s war in Ukraine.
King Charles hosts a reception at Buckingham Palace to mark what would have been the 100th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II.
Pope Leo marks the first anniversary of the death of his predecessor, Pope Francis, during a visit to Equatorial Guinea.
Wednesday 22 April
President Cyril Ramaphosa attends the official launch of the Senqu Bridge in Lesotho.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy meets to consider the Department’s strategic plan and budget, and to shortlist candidates for the National Nuclear Regulator Board.
The National Treasury and the Presidency hold a media briefing in Sandton on the latest Operation Vulindlela progress report.
A municipal by-election is held in the Saldanha Bay municipality in the Western Cape.
Statistics South Africa releases the Consumer Price Index for March, the headline measure of inflation. The impact of recent fuel price increases is expected to filter through more fully in coming months.
ITWeb hosts the AI Summit in Johannesburg to examine the adoption of artificial intelligence and its implications for the economy.
A two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran is due to expire, with efforts under way to extend the truce and resume negotiations.
The UN Security Council receives a briefing on ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
Today is Earth Day, with this year’s theme focused on renewable energy and collective action.
The Proteas Women host India in the third T20 international at the Wanderers Stadium in Sandton.
Thursday 23 April
The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education receives a briefing from the Auditor-General on R637 million in bursary and skills development funding that went unaccounted for.
The Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy receives briefings from various entities on their annual performance plans and budgets, including the National Energy Regulator of South Africa.
European Union leaders meet in Cyprus for an informal European Council to discuss the Middle East conflict, the war in Ukraine and budgetary priorities.
The United Nations marks English Language Day on the date traditionally associated with the birth and death of William Shakespeare.
The Investec South African Women’s Open begins at the Royal Cape Golf Club.
Friday 24 April
French President Emmanuel Macron visits Athens for talks with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on defence and security cooperation under the Greece-France strategic partnership agreement.
US President Donald Trump addresses the Republican National Committee’s spring retreat.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro travels to Venezuela for talks with Vice President Delcy Rodríguez.
The World Health Organisation starts World Immunization Week.
The Michael Jackson biopic Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson (Michael Jackson’s nephew), is released in cinemas.
Saturday 25 April
President Donald Trump attends the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
Local elections take place across Palestine, with voters in the West Bank and Gaza electing municipal and village council representatives.
The World Health Organisation marks World Malaria Day.
The Nakizumo Crying Baby Festival takes place in Tokyo, where infants compete to cry first in a traditional ritual believed to promote health and ward off evil spirits.
The Proteas Women host India in the fourth T20 international at Wanderers Stadium in Sandton.
Sunday 26 April
A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is due to expire, with negotiations underway for a longer-term arrangement.
The United Nations marks the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day, forty years on from the 1986 nuclear accident.
South Africa Women face India in the second T20 international at Kingsmead in Durban.
The London Marathon takes place in the British capital.
Note: There will be no Ockham Observer on Monday 27 April due to the Freedom Day public holiday.
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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.