The DA and EFF head to court to challenge the proposed VAT hike and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in South Africa for a working visit. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana chairs the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Washington, DC.
Monday 21 April
Pope Francis dies in Rome at the age of 88, triggering Novendiale, the traditional nine-day mourning period. The first pope from the Global South, Francis led the Catholic Church for 12 years. Preparations begin for his funeral and the eventual conclave to elect his successor.
Easter Monday is observed as a public holiday in South Africa and many other countries, marking the end of the Easter weekend.
French President Emmanuel Macron begins a five-day visit to the Indian Ocean region, starting in cyclone-hit Mayotte before travelling to La Réunion, Madagascar and Mauritius.
US Vice President JD Vance meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi at the start of a four-day visit, with India seeking to finalise a bilateral trade deal and avert further tariffs.
The 2025 Spring Meetings of the World Bank and IMF open in Washington, DC with all G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in attendance.
The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues opens its twenty-fourth session in New York.
Tuesday 22 April
The Western Cape High Court will hear the DA and EFF’s arguments to suspend Treasury’s proposed 0,5% VAT increase, which is set to take effect from 1 May. The parties argue that the parliamentary process leading up to the decision was procedurally flawed, and that the VAT Act is itself unconstitutional.
The Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry receives a briefing from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition on its strategic plans.
The Portfolio Committee on Tourism reviews five-year and annual performance plans from the Department of Tourism and South African Tourism.
The Portfolio Committee on Health scrutinises the health sector’s strategic and budget plans, with briefings from the Financial and Fiscal Commission, Auditor-General, Medical Research Council, Mines and Works Compensation Fund, and the Office of Health Standards Compliance.
A joint sitting of the Social Development and Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Portfolio Committees is briefed on the Sanitary Dignity Programme, defunding of NGOs, and efforts to combat gender-based violence.
Earth Day is marked around the world with events focused on environmental protection and climate action. First held in 1970, the day now engages over a billion people across more than 190 countries.
Wednesday 23 April
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen opens the G20 Agriculture Working Group meeting in Durban, as part of South Africa’s G20 presidency. Discussions will focus on inclusive investment, market access, innovation, and climate resilience in agrifood systems.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to visit Maseru for the Lesotho Bi-National Commission.
The Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy is briefed by the Department and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa on their strategic frameworks and budgets, with grid reliability and regulatory performance under scrutiny.
The Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry hears from the Department and the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Commission on transformation progress and sector codes.
The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation receives a presentation from the National Planning Commission on its study titled ‘How South Africa could improve its approach to chairing global bodies and hosting international forums’.
The Portfolio Committee on Health hears from the Council for Medical Schemes, the National Health Laboratory Service and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority on institutional readiness and budgets for the coming year.
Statistics South Africa releases the Consumer Price Index for March. The data will provide a key inflation signal ahead of next month’s monetary policy decision.
The annual TIME100 Summit takes place in New York, bringing together global leaders from politics, business, science and the arts.
Thursday 24 April
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet President Cyril Ramaphosa for a working visit. Ukraine is reportedly asking South Africa to condemn Russian aggression on its soil, and is seeking an opportunity to attend the G20 Summit in Johannesburg later this year.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago brief the media at the close of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Washington, DC.
The International Energy Agency and the UK government co-host the Summit on the Future of Energy Security in London, with keynote addresses by UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.
Friday 25 April
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen chairs the G20 Food Security Task Force meeting in Durban.
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts is briefed by the Special Investigating Unit on its probe into the Road Accident Fund.
Anzac Day is observed in Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific nations to honour those who served and died in war, with dawn services and marches held nationwide.
Los Angeles hosts the world’s first live sperm race at the Hollywood Palladium, where sperm samples from USC and UCLA students will compete along a 20cm track mimicking the female reproductive system.
Saturday 26 April
Just Stop Oil holds its final street protest in Westminster’s Parliament Square, bringing to a close three years of high-profile civil resistance. The group says it will continue its campaign through the courts and prisons, while developing a new strategy under a different banner.
Barcelona and Real Madrid meet in the Copa del Rey football final in Seville. This is the eighth time the fierce rivals have faced off in the final, with Madrid winning four of the previous seven encounters.
Sunday 27 April
It is Freedom Day in South Africa, marking 31 years since the first democratic elections. An IRR poll released this month shows the ANC trailing the DA for the first time since 1994 – a striking indicator of shifting political sentiment.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton face off in the third leaders’ debate ahead of the federal election on 3 May.
The 2025 Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Tri-Nation ODI Series begins in Colombo featuring South Africa, India and Sri Lanka.
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