MPs return to Parliament for a busy week of committee meetings.
Monday 1 September
South African Members of Parliament return from their constituencies following the recess period. The UK Parliament and US Congress also resume business today.
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen will brief the media on the national status of foot and mouth disease, and outline interventions to contain outbreaks.
A G20 Task Force meeting on food security takes place in Cairo to advance cooperation on agricultural resilience.
The sixth G20 Health Working Group meeting convenes to align on the strengthening of global health systems, pandemic preparedness, and equitable access to medicines.
The Western Cape High Court will hear a landmark case challenging the criminalisation of sex work.
FAME Week Africa, a festival celebrating African talent in film, television, animation, music, fashion and entertainment technology, opens at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
In the US, labour unions and advocacy groups hold nearly 1,000 Labor Day ‘worker over billionaire’ rallies in protest at the Trump administration’s policies on wages, unions and welfare.
Guyana holds its national presidential and parliamentary election with incumbent President Irfaan Ali favoured to win.
The English Premier League summer transfer window closes, preventing clubs from signing new players again until January.
Tuesday 2 September
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille briefs the Portfolio Committee on the resignation of the South African Tourism board chair, the board’s dissolution and reappointment, the suspension of the CEO, and the findings of a forensic investigation.
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs convenes to discuss strategic plans and the committee’s study tour to Brazil.
The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education receives a departmental briefing on strategies to improve curriculum delivery and teaching.
The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation hosts a colloquium on South Africa’s readiness to host the G20 Summit.
Chief Justice Mandisa Maya hosts the J20 Summit of Constitutional and Supreme Courts at the Sandton Convention Centre, a G20 event bringing together judicial leaders from across the world.
China’s President Xi Jinping will host Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, with Ukraine high on the agenda. The two leaders are expected to align positions on the war and deepen cooperation on energy and trade.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits Mexico and Ecuador to discuss cartel dismantling, fentanyl trafficking, migration, trade and regional security.
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will go on trial over an alleged attempt to overturn the country’s 2022 election results.
South Africa face England in the first ODI of their three-match series at Headingley in Leeds.
Wednesday 3 September
By-elections take place in three municipalities: Emalahleni in the Eastern Cape, Fetakgomo Tubatse in Limpopo, and Siyancuma in the Northern Cape.
The Portfolio Committee on Police converges on Somerset West for a strategic planning session. This will be followed by a briefing from the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service on the National Policing Policy.
The Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament engages Public Works Minister Dean MacPherson on the installation of the Nieuwmeester Dome, part of the ongoing post-fire reconstruction efforts at the parliamentary precinct.
National Treasury hosts a virtual media workshop on the R2 billion Smart Meters Project, providing an update on implementation since its launch in November 2024.
The UN General Assembly holds a high-level meeting to mark the International Day against Nuclear Tests, reaffirming calls for global disarmament.
China stages a military parade in Beijing to mark 80 years since the end of World War II in Asia, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expected to attend.
US President Donald Trump hosts Polish President Karol Nawrocki at the White House for a working meeting.
Jamaica goes to the polls in a general election for all 63 seats in the House of Representatives.
Thursday 4 September
The National Film and Video Foundation will brief the Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture to present its annual performance plan and answer questions on alleged funding irregularities, mismanagement and nepotism.
Stats SA will release its report on electricity generated and available for distribution for July 2025.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte delivers the keynote at the International Institute for Strategic Studies Defence Summit in Prague.
South Africa face England in the second ODI of their three-match series at Lord’s in London.
Friday 5 September
Minister of Public Service and Administration Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi launches Public Service Month at the 3 SAI Military Base in Kimberley.
Bafana Bafana face Lesotho in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Reform UK opens its annual conference in Birmingham with party leader Nigel Farage buoyed by polls placing his party ahead of Labour and the Conservatives.
Sunni Muslims observe Mawlid an-Nabi, marking the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.
The UN marks the International Day of Charity, held on the anniversary of the passing of Mother Theresa.
Saturday 6 September
The FT Weekend Festival takes place in London with a full-day programme of talks on politics, arts, lifestyle and global affairs. The 2025 edition features historian Yuval Noah Harari, comedian David Baddiel and journalist Lyse Doucet.
The National March for Palestine takes place in London under the banner “Stop Starving Gaza”.
The US Open women’s final takes place at Flushing Meadows in New York.
Sunday 7 September
Free State MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Ketso Makume launches Tourism Month at the Botanical Garden in Bloemfontein with a public event themed around RnB and soul music.
African and Caribbean leaders will meet in Addis Ababa for the second Africa-Caricom to demand reparations from former colonial powers.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism holds a march in London, citing antisemitic chants at the Glastonbury music festival as a trigger for the demonstration.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected in Buenos Aires for a possible visit, although Argentine human rights lawyers are pressing for his arrest over alleged war crimes.
The UN marks the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies.
South Africa face England in the third and final ODI of their series at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
The US Open men’s final is played at Flushing Meadows in New York.
Formula 1’s Italian Grand Prix takes place at Monza.
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