It’s a busy week in Parliament with the Deputy President and several ministers answering questions in both Houses.
Monday 27 October
South Africa enters the week officially removed from the Financial Action Task Force grey list, after 32 months of increased monitoring of its anti-money-laundering systems. The delisting is expected to lower transaction costs, increase investor confidence and strengthen the country’s financial credibility.
President Ramaphosa concludes his three-nation tour of South East Asia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where he will attend the 47th ASEAN Summit.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System resumes public hearings at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College, with testimony from a South African Police Service ballistics expert.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi launches Tswa Daar! in Tembisa, a province-wide campaign against substance and alcohol abuse.
GOOD Secretary-General Brett Herron will lay criminal charges at the Cape Town Central Police Station against Western Cape MECs and senior provincial officials, alleging fraud, financial misconduct and contempt of the provincial legislature.
US President Donald Trump begins an official visit to Japan, meeting Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Emperor Naruhito to discuss strengthening the Japan–US alliance.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change holds its 63rd Plenary in Lima, Peru, bringing together representatives from 195 governments.
The OECD holds its 5th Roundtable on Smart Cities and Inclusive Growth in Paris.
Tuesday 28 October
Minister of Small Business Development Stella Tembisa Ndabeni-Abrahams answers questions in the National Council of Provinces on a proposed BEE levy, support for local government, funding for projects and support for co-operatives.
The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation is scheduled to meet with UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese for a briefing on South Africa’s position on the occupied Palestinian territories. Her appearance comes days after Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi apologised for an unauthorised attempt to serve Ms Albanese with court papers by a departmental official.
Also in Parliament:
- The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation holds a bilateral meeting with Hungarian Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Hon Nemeth Zsolt.
- The Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries is briefed on South Africa’s climate commitments ahead of COP30.
- The Standing Committee on Finance receives a briefing from the Auditor-General on audit outcomes for the National Treasury and its entities.
Johannesburg’s coalition parties are expected to meet ahead of Thursday’s ordinary council meeting, following tensions over ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula’s alleged interference in the appointment of a new municipal manager.
Chairperson of the DA’s Federal Council Helen Zille leads an event in Johannesburg to unveil what the party describes as “a tactical device to bring public awareness to the evils of the ANC’s abuse of BEE for enrichment”.
ActionSA Members of Parliament will visit the Mananga and Lebombo border posts in Mpumalanga to assess the Border Management Authority’s capacity to curb illegal cross-border activity.
Investigative journalists Pauli van Wyk and Micah Reddy address the Cape Town Press Club on their new book Malema – Money. Power. Patronage.
Stats SA releases its monthly international tourism report on visitor arrivals and travel trends.
The 9th Future Investment Initiative opens in Riyadh, bringing together global leaders including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and Senegal’s former President Macky Sall.
Tanzania holds general elections with President Samia Suluhu Hassan seeking re-election amid restrictions on opposition activity and concerns over the vote’s fairness.
Wednesday 29 October
Ministers in the governance cluster will answer questions in the National Assembly on lifestyle audits in the public service, the reach of GCIS’s Vuk Talks podcast, the presidential hotline, leveraging South Africa’s G20 presidency and gender-responsive budgeting.
Also in Parliament:
- The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements receives a briefing on submissions received by Emma Powell MP on the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from Unlawful Occupation of Land Amendment Bill, which seeks to clarify eviction procedures and balance the rights of landowners and unlawful occupiers.
- The Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy is briefed on the revised Integrated National Electrification Programme to expand access to electricity nationwide.
- The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure is briefed on the PwC forensic report into the PSA Oxygen Plant project.
The South African Medical Technology Industry Association (SAMED) holds its annual conference in Randburg, bringing together stakeholders from the medical technology sector to discuss regulatory and market developments.
The Lancet Countdown launches its 2025 Global Report on Health and Climate Change.
The US Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point amid concerns over weakening job growth and slowing inflation.
US President Donald Trump visits South Korea, meeting President Lee Jae Myung for bilateral talks before delivering a keynote address at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO luncheon.
The Netherlands hold a snap parliamentary election following the collapse of the governing coalition earlier in 2025.
Proteas Women face England in the Cricket World Cup semi-final in Guwahati for a place in the final against either Australia or tournament hosts India.
Thursday 30 October
Deputy President Paul Mashatile answers questions in the National Assembly on municipal governance, support for small-scale farmers, crime intelligence and gangsterism, land reform and rural infrastructure, Eskom municipal debt recovery and HIV prevalence among women and girls.
Ministers in the economic cluster will answer questions in the National Council of Provinces on municipal debt recovery, financial non-performance in provinces, the dissolution of the SA Tourism Board and the affordability of essential food items.
The African Union’s Day for Food and Nutrition Security is commemorated to tackle hunger and malnutrition across the continent.
US President Donald Trump meets Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea. They are expected to discuss trade tensions, US sanctions on Russian oil firms, and China’s role in purchasing Russian crude.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visits Ankara for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on bilateral relations, migration, security, and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
G7 energy and environment ministers meet in Toronto for two days of discussions on energy security, climate innovation, and environmental protection.
Author Katlego Rammusa launches his new book Motswako: The Beginnings at Exclusive Books Rosebank Mall, celebrating the pioneers of the Motswako hip-hop movement.
Friday 31 October
The National Assembly holds virtual mini-plenaries to debate topics tabled by RISE Mzansi, the ANC, the DA and MK.
The Joint Standing Committee on Defence receives a strategic briefing from National Treasury on the impact of declining defence budget allocations.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation observers World Cities Day, promoting sustainable urban development.
Saturday 1 November
The African Union celebrates Africa Youth Day.
The United States’ 100 percent tariff on Chinese imports is due to take effect, escalating trade tensions after Beijing tightened export controls on rare earth minerals.
The Springboks face Japan at Wembley Stadium in London.
Sunday 2 November
The ICC Women’s World Cup final is played in Mumbai.
The New York City Marathon takes place, with runners from around the world traversing all five boroughs from Staten Island to Central Park.
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