Electoral Commission to hold briefing on 2026 elections as ANC falls below 30% in polls.
Monday 25 August
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube hosts the G20 National Education Indaba in Cape Town, focusing on professional development and improving foundational learning.
The National School of Government hosts the T20 Symposium in Pretoria on state capacity and institutional transformation, with keynote speaker Professor Zhang Weiwei of Fudan University.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition leads an Outward Selling Mission to Nigeria and Ghana, promoting South African exports and investment opportunities across the African Continental Free Trade Area.
US President Donald Trump hosts South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Washington for talks on defence cost-sharing, North Korea, and strategic cooperation on critical minerals, semiconductors, and clean energy supply chains.
Tuesday 26 August
The Electoral Commission of South Africa briefs the media on preparations for the 2026 local government elections. New DA polling shows the ANC’s national support falling below 30% and the party trailing the DA in several metros. In Johannesburg, the ANC has slumped to 23% against the DA’s 40%, with Helen Zille expected to be announced as the DA’s mayoral candidate.
Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has until today to explain to Parliament’s Higher Education Portfolio Committee his controversial appointment of administrators to the construction, services, and local government Setas, a move critics argue is unlawful and politically motivated.
The Pretoria High Court hears Jacob Zuma’s bid to overturn President Ramaphosa’s suspension of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, the appointment of Firoz Cachalia as acting minister, and a commission on the alleged infiltration of the security cluster.
The Portfolio Committee on Health will hold virtual public hearings on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, with presentations from Freedom for All Nations, Protect Our Next, the EFF, Cosatu, and Phillip Morris South Africa.
The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will discuss and adopt its five-year strategic plan.
Stats SA will release its July 2025 international tourism report, providing detailed data on international arrivals and transit movements.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hosts a meeting with former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney in Berlin, focusing on transatlantic economic co-operation.
The African Nations Championship semi-finals take place, with Madagascar facing Sudan in Dar es Salaam, and Morocco meeting Senegal in Kampala.
Wednesday 27 August
African health ministers and officials gather in Lusaka, Zambia as the World Health Organization’s Africa Regional Committee convenes its 75th session to review public health priorities on the continent.
Stats SA publishes its annual report on the transport and storage industry for 2023, providing data on freight, logistics, and warehousing.
The US imposes 50% tariffs on Indian imports, citing New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian oil in defiance of Washington’s sanctions regime.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visit Moldova for its Independence Day celebrations.
World Lake Day will be observed by the UN to raise awareness of lakes and the importance of freshwater ecosystems.
The 82nd Venice International Film Festival begins, showcasing Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia as its opening film under the eye of jury president Alexander Payne.
Thursday 28 August
The Daily Maverick hosts The Gathering in Cape Town, featuring Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi and some politicians, business people and civil society activists.
Stats SA releases a report examining gender disparities in access to financial services between 2014 and 2024.
Stats SA releases the Producer Price Index (PPI) for July 2025, offering insight into inflation trends at the factory gate and price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Stats SA also publishes liquidation statistics for July 2025, offering a snapshot of business closures across sectors and providing indicators of corporate distress in the current economic climate.
Friday 29 August
The National Treasury hosts a knowledge-sharing webinar to engage the media on accessing and using Treasury content, and an overview of procurement processes.
The African Union’s Peace and Security Council meets for a briefing by African’s three member states of the UN Security Council – Algeria, Somalia and Sierra Leone – on their work in New York.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hold a joint cabinet meeting in Toulon to reset Franco-German relations, with talks covering defence projects, trade disputes with the US, and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
EU defence ministers meet in Copenhagen for informal talks on military support to Ukraine and defence readiness.
Samoa holds its 2025 general elections, with voters set to elect members of parliament for the Pacific island nation.
The US suspends the de minimis rule, which allowed imports under $800 to enter duty-free, meaning all low-value shipments will now face tariffs.
Saturday 30 August
Turkey marks Victory Day with nationwide commemorations of the 1922 Battle of Dumlupınar.
The African Nations Championship final will be played at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.
Sunday 31 August
The African Union marks African Traditional Medicine Day, promoting the integration of traditional medicine into national health systems under WHO-AFRO’s regional strategy.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit China to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Tianjin, his first official visit to China since 2019.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has postponed a planned five-nation tour of Bangladesh, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea and Japan to focus on international discussions on the war in Ukraine.
A flotilla carrying aid to Gaza, joined by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, departs from Spain.
The International Day for People of African Descent celebrates the cultural heritage and contributions of the African diaspora.
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race departs from Portsmouth.
Formula 1 heads to Zandvoort for the Dutch Grand Prix.
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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.