OCKHAM OBSERVER

An eye on the week ahead

Parliament gets down to business

The National Assembly resumes plenary business, Ramaphosa heads to Egypt, and voters go to the polls in Brazil and Bosnia.

Monday 28 September
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry hears evidence from former Crime Intelligence deputy head Major-General Feroz Khan, whose appearance has been repeatedly postponed on medical grounds.

The UN Security Council holds a briefing on the Middle East and the Palestinian question, including Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank and the situation in Gaza.

EU defence ministers meet in Brussels to discuss military support for Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.

Pope Leo XIV delivers an address on European peace and unity in Metz on the final day of his four-day visit to France.

Paris Fashion Week begins.

Tuesday 29 September
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni briefs the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on 23 September.

The National Assembly holds its first plenary sitting following the constituency period.

The National Assembly considers reports on allegations that Economic Freedom Fighters MPs Julius Malema and Sinawo Thambo are in contempt of Parliament. Malema’s case relates to his failure to apologise to Justice Keoagile Matojane for his questioning during a Judicial Service Commission interview.

The parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi deliberates on its draft preliminary report.

The Portfolio Committee on Transport receives a briefing from SANRAL on the status of its road projects, procurement compliance and consequence management.

Stats SA releases its Quarterly Employment Statistics for June 2026.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivers his first Labour Party conference speech as Prime Minister in Liverpool, setting out his government’s political direction and priorities.

US import bans on a range of Canadian alcohol, dairy and motor vehicle products take effect as the trade dispute between the two countries escalates.

French President Emmanuel Macron begins a two-day state visit to Spain, meeting King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia in Madrid ahead of talks with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Wednesday.

Wednesday 30 September
Ministers in the economics cluster face the first oral questions of the National Assembly’s new plenary period. Questions include the blacklisting of companies implicated in corruption, municipal financial governance, electricity pricing and Free Basic Electricity, economic growth and job creation, support for communal farmers, and South Africa’s strategic fuel stocks.

Also in Parliament:

  • The Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition engages the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies and ICASA on amended regulations governing data expiry.
  • Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance holds public hearings on draft tax bills, including proposed changes relating to donations tax, special economic zones and carbon-budget refunds.
  • The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements examines the R430 million paid to LTE Consulting for the Syferfontein Mega City housing project and the handling of public funds by the Gauteng Partnership Fund.
  • The Portfolio Committee on Health receives a briefing from the Commission for Gender Equality on the state of maternity and neonatal healthcare.
  • The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education receives a briefing from the National Skills Fund on the payment of stipends to learners.

Stats SA releases its Quarterly Financial Statistics for June 2026.

The Proteas play Australia in the third and final One-Day International of their series, at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.

Bafana Bafana play Eritrea in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo.

Thursday 1 October
Business Day Political Editor Hajra Omarjee hosts a public dialogue in Johannesburg on the 2026 local government elections.

The United States hosts the third G20 Sherpa Meeting of its 2026 presidency in Washington, DC until 2 October. South Africa is not taking part.

The United Nations marks the International Day of Older Persons.

China marks National Day, commemorating the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.

Friday 2 October
President Cyril Ramaphosa attends the inaugural Alamein Africa Forum in New Alamein, Egypt, alongside more than 20 African heads of state and government.

Saturday 3 October
Latvia holds parliamentary elections for all 100 seats in the Saeima.

A Cricket South Africa Invitation XI plays Australia in a two-day tour match at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.

Simchat Torah begins at sunset, with Jewish communities celebrating the completion of the annual cycle of Torah readings and the beginning of a new cycle.

Sunday 4 October
Brazil holds general elections for the presidency, the National Congress and regional legislatures.

Bosnia and Herzegovina holds general elections for its tripartite presidency and the national parliament.

The UK Conservative Party begins its annual conference in Birmingham.

Bafana Bafana play Egypt in an international football friendly at the Cairo International Stadium.

The Springbok Women play Spain in Seville, as part of their WXV Global Series European tour.

Formula 1 holds the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, after regional conflict forced the race away from Bahrain.

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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.