Parliament and the courts both turn to Phala Phala this week, as the impeachment committee and Ramaphosa’s review application proceed in parallel.
Monday 31 August
Members of Parliament return to their constituencies until 18 September.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the keynote address at the Volkswagen Group Africa 75th anniversary gala dinner in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Minister for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga briefs the media on plans to make the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide fully operational.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy joins SANTACO Women at Kempton Park Taxi Rank for a gender-based violence awareness campaign, ahead of a summit on women’s safety and empowerment in the taxi industry.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande hosts Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana at the CSIR in Pretoria for talks on the role of science, technology and innovation in advancing South Africa’s development priorities.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube launches the LEAP 9 School in KwaNobuhle, Kariega, rebuilt by Volkswagen South Africa as part of a public-private partnership to improve access to quality education.
Deputy Human Settlements Minister Tandi Mahambehlala hosts a Young Women in the Built Environment engagement in Pretoria.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hosts G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in North Carolina under the United States’ G20 presidency.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Heads of State Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where leaders discuss regional and international issues and the organisation’s future.
The United Nations marks the International Day for People of African Descent under the theme “Expanding the Human Rights of People of African Descent”.
The US Open tennis tournament continues in New York, with first-round matches in the men’s and women’s singles at Flushing Meadows.
Tuesday 1 September
South Africa marks the start of Heritage Month, dedicated to celebrating the country’s diverse cultures, traditions and heritage.
The National Assembly’s Section 89 Impeachment Committee, investigating President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala scandal, considers the President’s objection to the appointment of Advocate Thuli Madonsela as evidence leader.
Defence Minister Angie Motshekga briefs the media on South Africa’s preparations to host the Africa Aerospace and Defence Trade Exhibition and Air Show at Air Force Base Waterkloof later in September.
Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa delivers the keynote address at the Forum for Safer Mobility in Cape Town.
Stats SA releases the Victims of Crime Survey for 2026.
The 16th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion opens in Cape Town, with the World Health Organization as a sponsor.
Arbor Week begins in South Africa, encouraging the planting and conservation of trees and raising awareness of their environmental importance.
EU defence ministers meet in County Wicklow, Ireland, for talks on military support for Ukraine, space security, Lebanon and maritime security.
The UN General Assembly holds a plenary meeting on the situation in the occupied territories of Ukraine.
South Africa play Zimbabwe in the Namibia T20I Tri-Series in Windhoek.
Wednesday 2 September
The Western Cape High Court begins hearing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s application to review and set aside the Section 89 Independent Panel report on Phala Phala.
Fuel prices increase, with petrol expected to rise by about R1 a litre and diesel by nearly R3 a litre following a sharp rise in global oil prices.
Thursday 3 September
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the inaugural Nokuthula Simelane Memorial Lecture at the University of Mpumalanga on justice, accountability, truth, reconciliation and the unfinished business of South Africa’s democratic transition.
The Constitutional Court hears a National Credit Regulator case on whether vehicle “on-the-road” fees may lawfully be included in financed motor vehicle purchases under the National Credit Act.
Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana addresses the Master Builders South Africa Annual Congress in KwaZulu-Natal.
Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Sihle Zikalala delivers the opening address at the Public Works Inspection Summit in Cape Town.
Stats SA releases electricity generated and available for distribution figures for July 2026 and the Residential Property Price Index for April 2026.
The World Meteorological Organization publishes its latest El Niño update, accompanied by a briefing from Secretary-General Celeste Saulo in Geneva.
Friday 4 September
Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp participates in the Farmer’s Weekly Agricultural Forum at the Die Krip Landboufees in Magaliesburg.
Namibia play South Africa in the Namibia T20I Tri-Series at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek.
Saturday 5 September
The Springboks play the All Blacks at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, the third Test in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour.
Springbok Women play New Zealand’s Black Ferns at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
The final of the Miss World pageant is held in Vietnam.
The United Nations marks the first International Day of the World’s Indigenous Women and Girls.
Sunday 6 September
South Africa observes National Police Commemoration Day at the Union Buildings in Pretoria in memory of police officers who died in the line of duty.
The 18th World Congress on Public Health opens in Cape Town.
Saudi Arabia, Russia and five other OPEC+ producers meet to review oil-market conditions after agreeing to a 188,000-barrel-a-day production adjustment for September.
Germany’s eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt holds an election, with the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) polling above 40% and potentially on course to become the largest party.
The Namibia T20I Tri-Series concludes with the final in Windhoek.
The Italian Grand Prix takes place at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza.
If you would like an event to be considered for this newsletter, please email:
To receive the Ockham Observer for free in your inbox every week, click here.
Ockham Communications relies on a range of sources to compile the Ockham Observer and cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or omissions.