MPs head to their constituencies at the end of the week as Parliament concludes its remaining debates and committee business.
Monday 1 December
Deputy President Paul Mashatile, as Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council, leads the official World AIDS Day commemoration at Masemola Stadium in Limpopo.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube launches the R496 million Education Outcomes Fund in Midrand to expand access to quality early childhood care and education.
Parliament hosts the 58th SADC Parliamentary Forum, where delegates will discuss the impact of climate change on women and youth alongside other regional priorities.
Gauteng Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela and Mogale City Mayor Lucky Sele lead a service delivery intervention at Munsieville Sports Complex, including road maintenance, street-light repairs and other basic services.
Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel leads a delegation to the 24th Assembly of States Parties at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
The African Union holds its inaugural Conference on Digital Agriculture in Addis Ababa.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will travel to Ireland to meet with newly inaugurated President Catherine Connolly.
St Lucia holds general elections for all 17 seats in its House of Assembly.
Tuesday 2 December
President Cyril Ramaphosa co-chairs the fourth South Africa–Mozambique Bi-National Commission in Maputo.
Ministers in the economics cluster answer MPs’ questions in the National Council of Provinces on the proposed BEE levy, the impact of US tariffs and the SIU’s investigation of the National Lottery Commission amongst others.
Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga addresses the National Assembly on “creating strategic multisectoral partnerships for a disability-inclusive society.”
The National Assembly debates World AIDS Day, focusing on funding cuts and disruptions to HIV prevention and support services.
Also in Parliament:
- The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services will hear an update on readiness to take over public–private partnership prisons and litigation concerning Mangaung Correctional Centre.
- The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture meets to discuss regulations under the Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land and Plant Health Acts, the farmer register, the review of the National Food and Nutrition Security Plan and plans to commercialise goat production.
- The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education meets to receive a status update from the Department on BELA Act regulations for Grade R admissions and the Children’s Amendment Bill.
Stats SA will announce the Gross Domestic Product figures for the third quarter of 2025.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte holds a press conference in Brussels where he is expected to signal increased defence spending commitments to support Ukraine.
The UN Observes the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.
Wednesday 3 December
President Cyril Ramaphosa attends the launch of Sasol’s Hydrocarbons Processing Integrated Infrastructure in Inhambane Province, Mozambique.
Ministers in the peace and security cluster answer MPs’ questions in the National Assembly on defence-sector corruption cases, overcrowding in remand detention, police powers for the Border Management Authority and government’s gender-based violence and femicide commitments.
Also in Parliament:
- The Standing Committee on Finance holds clause-by-clause deliberations on the Rates Bill, the Taxation Laws Amendment Bill and the Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill.
- The Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille briefs the Economic Development and Trade Select Committee on the South African Tourism Board.
- Armscor and the SA Navy brief the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans on the status of the Armscor Dockyard.
Chairperson of the FW de Klerk Foundation Elita de Klerk will address the Cape Town Press Club on ‘How to Bridge the Divide in South Africa’.
French President Emmanuel Macron begins a state visit to China including a closed-door meeting with President Xi Jinping. Talks are expected to focus on EU–China trade tensions and the war in Ukraine.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier begins a three-day state visit to the United Kingdom, hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
Bahrain hosts the 46th Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Manama.
On this day in 1967, Dr Christiaan Barnard performed the world’s first heart transplant in Cape Town.
India hosts South Africa in the second ODI of their three-match series at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Raipur.
Thursday 4 December
Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivers his annual address to the National Council of Provinces, followed by a debate. The theme is “Restoring the dignity of our people through spatial planning, provision of human settlement, water and sanitation”.
The National Assembly considers the Division of Revenue Amendment Bill and the Rates and Monetary Amounts Bill, followed by MPs’ farewell speeches.
Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin begins a two-day tour to India to strengthen ties between the two BRICS nations.
The European Broadcasting Union holds a two-day general assembly that includes discussions on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, with some member countries warning they will withdraw from the contest if Israel remains in the line-up.
The World Health Organization releases its World Malaria Report 2025, providing a global assessment of trends, investments and progress in malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
The Nedbank Golf Challenge kicks off at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City.
Friday 5 December
The South African Women’s cricket side face off against Ireland in a T20 match at Newlands.
The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup takes place at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, where 48 teams will learn their group stage opponents. FIFA will also present its new “Football Unites the World” Peace Prize.
It is the 12th anniversary of the passing of President Nelson Mandela.
Saturday 6 December
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrives in Israel for his first official visit. He will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the Gaza ceasefire and visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial.
The Doha Forum opens in Qatar, bringing together global leaders and experts to discuss peace, economic resilience and technological transformation.
India hosts South Africa in the third ODI of their series at the ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
Sunday 7 December
Hong Kong will hold legislative council elections for all 90 seats of its 8th legislative council.
World Civil Aviation Day celebrates the work of the aviation industry.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is hosted at the Yas Marina Circuit, the final race of the F1 season.
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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.