The President’s White House visit takes centre stage as Finance Minister aims to get third Budget passed.
Monday 19 May
Cooperative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa launches the national review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government under the theme ‘every municipality must work’.
Minister of Public Works Dean Macpherson hands over state-owned properties in Mbombela to the provincial government for use as gender-based violence shelters.
The Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities hosts a G20 Breakfast-Round Table on ‘the empowerment of women and disability inclusion in the banking sector’.
Malcolm X, the influential African American political activist, was born in this day 100 years ago.
Tuesday 20 May
John Stuart Mill, a key figure in liberal political thought and utilitarian ethics, was born in London on this day in 1806.
Ann Bernstein, Executive Director of the Centre for Development and Enterprise, addresses the Cape Town Press Club on the Government of National Unity’s prospects.
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts hosts the Eastern Cape Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in Mthatha.
The National Assembly considers the Political Funding Act, including proposed limits and disclosure thresholds for donations to political parties and independent candidates.
The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education discusses funding norms and standards per learner, including disparities between provinces.
The Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Committee hears from the eThekwini, Nelson Mandela and Buffalo City metros on their waste management strategies and landfill conditions.
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts hears from the Special Investigating Unit on the National Lotteries Commission probe.
The Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources is briefed by the Central Energy Fund on PetroSA’s turnaround plans and updates on refinery capacity.
Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne co-hosts the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting in Banff to discuss global economic stability, financial crime, AI, and support for Ukraine.
The Qatar Economic Forum opens in Doha with addresses from key figures including Qatari Energy Minister Saad Al-Kaabi and US tech billionaire Elon Musk.
The International Labour Organization releases Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure, offering a detailed global assessment of the future of work. EU Foreign and Defence Ministers meet in Brussels to discuss military support to Ukraine, the ReArm Europe Plan, and security concerns in the Middle East and Syria.
Wednesday 21 May
President Cyril Ramaphosa meets US President Donald Trump at the White House in what is anticipated to be a robust encounter following Trump’s claim of “genocide” against Afrikaners, criticism of black economic empowerment and punitive trade policy. The SA delegation is expected to include Agriculture Minister and DA Leader John Steenhuisen.
Meanwhile, the parliamentary Portfolio Committee is scheduled to receive a presentation from the Institute for Global Dialogue titled: ‘Traversing turbulent waters of US-SA Relations and possible oversight approach’.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana tables the revised 2025 Budget after two previous attempts collapsed over VAT hike disputes within the unity government. He faces the task of closing a R75 billion gap without raising taxes, amid pressure from investors, civil society and coalition partners.
Following the tabling of the Budget in Parliament, Treasury hosts a Global Investor Call led by Director-General Dr Duncan Pieterse.
Statistics South Africa releases the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for April 2025, providing an update on inflation trends.
The Portfolio Committee on Police discusses implementation of recommendations from the state capture report.
The Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy meets with visiting members of the UK Parliament to exchange insights on energy policy.
The G20 Women 20 (W20) Inception Meeting opens at the University of Mpumalanga, focusing on gender-inclusive policy development.
The African Union and European Union hold their third ministerial conference in Brussels, marking 25 years of partnership.
Kermit the Frog delivers the commencement address at the University of Maryland, honouring alumnus and Muppets creator Jim Henson, who graduated in 1960.
Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United face off in an all-English UEFA Europa League final at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain. Spurs are unbeaten in their last six encounters with the Red Devils.
Thursday 22 May
The Defence and Military Veterans Portfolio Committee holds a joint session with a UK delegation to discuss international security issues.
Parliament marks Africa Day with a commemorative debate and lecture.
The Qatar Economic Forum concludes with a spotlight on Africa’s economic potential. Key sessions include ‘Africa Startups to Watch’ and panels on infrastructure investment, tech innovation and venture capital across the continent.
Friday 23 May
Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe launches the South African National Petroleum Company in Johannesburg. Formed by merging PetroSA, iGas and the Strategic Fuel Fund, the new entity aims to strengthen energy security and manage petroleum assets more efficiently.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana briefs Parliament’s finance and appropriations committees on the 2025 Budget Review.
The Environment Portfolio Committee hears from the City of Cape Town on waste management and landfill issues.
A rare complete set of Shakespeare’s four folios containing nearly all his plays is auctioned at Sotheby’s in London, expected to fetch up to $6 million.
Saturday 24 May
Environment Minister Dion George leads the SA Agulhas II Open Day in Durban, ahead of a scientific cruise to Cape Town showcasing research into ocean observation, coastal monitoring and climate science.
Arsenal face Barcelona in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon.
Sunday 25 May
Africa Day is observed across the continent and around the world to commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963, the predecessor of today’s African Union.
The Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium opens in Cape Town. The event is anchored by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson, with President Cyril Ramaphosa set to deliver the keynote address on Tuesday.
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina re-opens the Lesotho Highlands Water Project tunnel at the Ash River Outfall Works in Clarens.
The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation opens the second G20 Research and Innovation Working Group meeting at the University of Mpumalanga.
Suriname holds general elections under a party-list proportional representation system following a 2022 court ruling that deemed the previous constituency model unconstitutional.
Venezuela holds parliamentary elections to fill all 285 seats in the National Assembly. The opposition has denounced the vote as illegitimate and called for a boycott, citing last year’s disputed presidential election and continued repression under President Nicolás Maduro.
The French Open gets underway at Roland Garros in Paris, with defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Świątek headlining the men’s and women’s draws.
The Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix takes place in Monte Carlo.
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