With Parliament in recess and schools on holiday, President Ramaphosa’s visit to France is the main event on this week’s diary.
Monday 6 July
Schools are on holiday until 21 July.
Members of Parliament remain in their constituencies until Parliament resumes on 4 August.
Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy delivers the opening address at the Southern African Transport Conference in Pretoria.
Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube visits Dimbaza Primary School in the Eastern Cape, where she is expected to announce a major milestone in the eradication of unsafe pit toilets identified under the 2018 SAFE Initiative.
Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo undertakes an oversight visit to the Vaal Gamagara Bulk Water Supply Scheme near Kathu to assess progress on the strategic Northern Cape water infrastructure project.
The South African Human Rights Commission begins the second leg of its National Investigative Hearing into South Africa’s food system in Johannesburg.
The Board of Healthcare Funders’ annual conference continues in Cape Town, with healthcare leaders from across the region discussing policy, innovation and the future of health.
A World Health Organization-sponsored clinical trial of two experimental treatments for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola begins in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as health authorities seek to contain a growing outbreak that has claimed more than 450 lives.
The United Nations convenes the inaugural Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, bringing together governments, technology companies, academics and civil society to discuss international cooperation on artificial intelligence.
A public funeral procession moves through Tehran for the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
World Cup matches: Mexico v. England; Portugal v. Spain (Round of 16).
Tuesday 7 July
Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana opens the Public Economics Conference in Pretoria, where policymakers, economists and researchers will examine evidence-based solutions to youth unemployment and the future of work in South Africa.
NATO heads of state and government meet in Ankara, Türkiye, for a two-day summit expected to focus on implementation of the Alliance’s 5% defence spending commitment, expanding defence industrial capacity and sustaining long-term military support for Ukraine.
World Cup matches: USA v. Belgium; Argentina v. Egypt and Switzerland v. Colombia (Round of 16).
Wednesday 8 July
Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi delivers the keynote address at the Social Media Summit for Government in Johannesburg, where delegates will discuss artificial intelligence, digital governance and citizen engagement.
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Blade Nzimande addresses the inaugural ST&I Public Lecture at Emperors Palace in Ekurhuleni, where leaders from government, business and academia will discuss public-private partnerships and South Africa’s science, technology and innovation agenda.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies visits Johannesburg to attend the National Summit on the Future of Broadcasting in South Africa, hosted by the SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition and Cape Town TV.
The International Monetary Fund publishes its updated World Economic Outlook, providing revised forecasts for global growth, inflation and other key economic indicators.
No World Cup matches today.
Thursday 9 July
Stats SA releases manufacturing production and sales figures for May 2026, as well as export and import unit value indices.
Nominations open for the leadership of the United Kingdom’s Labour Party, following Keir Starmer’s resignation as party leader and prime minister.
Palm Beach International Airport in Florida hosts a ceremony to celebrate its renaming to President Donald J. Trump International Airport.
World Cup match: France v. Morocco (first quarter-final).
Friday 10 July
President Cyril Ramaphosa begins a working visit to Paris, France where he will co-chair the UNESCO High-Level Steering Committee on Sustainable Development Goal 4 on education.
The Rolling Stones release Foreign Tongues, their twenty-fifth studio album.
World Cup match: Portugal/Spain v. United States/Belgium (second quarter-final).
Saturday 11 July
The Wimbledon ladies’ singles final is played on Centre Court.
World Cup match: Brazil/Norway v. Mexico/England (third quarter-final).
Sunday 12 July
President Cyril Ramaphosa attends the 110th commemoration of the Battle of Delville Wood at the South African National Memorial in Longueval, France to honour South African soldiers who died in the First World War.
The Wimbledon men’s singles final is played on Centre Court.
World Cup match: Argentina/Egypt v. Switzerland/Colombia (fourth quarter-final).
The International Day of Hope is observed by the United Nations for the first time.
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