Strains in the GNU threaten this week’s Appropriations Bill vote, with the entire Budget at risk of collapse.
Monday 21 July
The G20 Development Working Group meeting continues in Skukuza, Mpumalanga. The focus is on global public investment, development financing and universal social protection.
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen will open a two-day national Foot and Mouth Disease Indaba in Roodeplaat to address ongoing outbreaks threatening South Africa’s livestock sector.
Deputy Minister of International Relations Alvin Botes and Palestinian Ambassador Hanan Jarrar will deliver a public lecture on Palestine in Kimberley.
Over 200 FlySafair pilots begin a two-week strike following a wage dispute. Union Solidarity rejected the airline’s 5.7% offer, demanding a 10.5% increase for the next financial year.
The UK and Germany will co-host a virtual Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting, where NATO and allied defence leaders will discuss military support for future multinational forces in Ukraine.
A US federal court will hear Harvard University’s lawsuit against the Trump administration, after it froze billions in research funding over campus protests and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) policies. Harvard argues the freeze is unconstitutional and threatens academic independence.
Tuesday 22 July
The National Assembly will hold a morning plenary to discuss the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, the Auditor-General’s strategic plan, a petition on unpaid pensions for former civil servants and a report on gang violence in Nelson Mandela Bay.
The National Assembly will later consider disciplinary findings against Fadiel Adams of the National Coloured Congress, and proceed with debates on the Eskom Debt Relief Amendment Bill, the Revenue Laws Amendment Bill and the long-delayed National Gambling Amendment Bill.
The Portfolio Committees on Police and Justice and Constitutional Development will meet jointly to consider a draft report on the allegations raised by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs will conduct clause-by-clause deliberations on the Immigration Amendment Bill and will also discuss the One Stop Border Post Bill.
Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke will join Centre for Development and Enterprise executive director Ann Bernstein for an online discussion on the state of accountability in government departments.
The International Energy Agency will release its Q3 2025 Gas Market Report, with a special focus on the Middle East’s role in the gas market.
Banyana Banyana face fierce rivals Nigeria in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Casablanca, after beating Senegal on penalties. Hosts Morocco take on Ghana in the other semi-final in Rabat.
Wednesday 23 July
The National Assembly will debate the Appropriation Bill, which allocates funding to each national department. The DA has threatened to vote against the budgets of corruption-accused ANC ministers, raising the risk that the entire bill could collapse. According to legal advice, rejecting individual votes amounts to rejecting the bill itself, potentially triggering a budget crisis and further fallout in the Government of National Unity.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will chair a Cabinet meeting at Tuynhuis as uncertainty deepens over the future of the GNU. According to the Sunday Times, the ANC is weighing various options including replacing the DA with smaller parties, entering into a supply and confidence agreement with the EFF, or holding fresh elections.
Later in the day, President Ramaphosa will meet with the G20 Sherpas (senior officials representing each G20 nation).
Municipal by-elections will be held in in Emfuleni (Gauteng), Sol Plaatje (Northern Cape), and in Bergrivier and Drakenstein (Western Cape).
The 30th EU–Japan Summit will take place in Tokyo. President of the European Council António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Thursday 24 July
Deputy President Paul Mashatile will convene a meeting of the Presidential Task Team on Military Veterans.
The Portfolio Committee on Health will hold public hearings on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, with submissions expected from Professor Imraan Valodia, the South Africa Tobacco Transformation Alliance, and the Africa Harm Reduction Alliance.
The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education will receive a briefing from the Western Cape Education Department on the BELA Act regulations and Grade R admissions.
EU leaders António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing for the 25th EU-China Summit.
The International Energy Agency will publish its Coal Mid-Year Update, with revised forecasts for 2025–2026 and analysis of global trends in coal demand, production and emissions.
Comic-Con International kicks off in San Diego, drawing fans, creators, and studios for four days of panels, previews, and pop culture showcases across comics, film, television, and gaming.
Friday 25 July
President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Cabinet will meet Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul and Members of the Executive Council in Kimberley for high-level talks on service delivery, economic growth and inter-governmental coordination.
Public hearings on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill continue in the Portfolio Committee on Health, with inputs from Japan Tobacco International and Professor Riccardo Polosa.
French President Emmanuel Macron will meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin to advance joint defence planning amid growing concern over the US retreat from European security commitments.
US President Donald Trump will begin a visit to Scotland where he will meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss trade. The trip includes stops at Trump-owned golf properties in Turnberry and Aberdeen.
The International Day for Women and Girls of African Descent honours the contributions, resilience, and cultural heritage of women and girls across the African diaspora.
Saturday 26 July
Deputy President Paul Mashatile begins a working visit to South Sudan, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and supporting regional peace and development efforts.
The Economic Freedom Fighters will mark their 12th anniversary with a rally at Khayelitsha Rugby Stadium in the Western Cape.
Taiwan will hold recall elections for 24 opposition Kuomintang lawmakers, in a vote that could shift control of parliament back to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
The 2025 World AI Conference opens in Shanghai, bringing together more than 1 200 global participants to showcase advances in artificial intelligence, governance, and industrial applications.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final will be held at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
Formula 1 heads to Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian Grand Prix.
Sunday 27 July
The UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 final will be held at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland.
The Tour de France concludes with its final stage on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
North Korea will mark Victory Day, commemorating the 1953 armistice that ended active combat in the Korean War.
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