President Cyril Ramaphosa chairs the SADC Summit in Durban as South Africa assumes leadership of the regional bloc.
Monday 17 August
President Cyril Ramaphosa chairs the 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government in Durban, with regional leaders discussing economic trends, regional integration and progress on the bloc’s development strategy.
Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba lead an integrated health screening programme in Mafefe Village, where communities face health risks linked to asbestos contamination from abandoned mines.
Minister of Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni provides an update on the Spaza Shop Support Fund, including the processing of applications and support provided to South African-owned spaza shops.
Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi meets to consider its draft report.
The Democratic Alliance announces action over an unlisted investment by the Public Investment Corporation, with DA Deputy Spokesperson on Appropriations Andrew Bateman and National Spokesperson Karabo Khakhau briefing the media at Parliament.
The Commission for Gender Equality convenes a national imbizo on teenage pregnancy in Johannesburg.
Africa Fashion Week London begins, featuring 10 designers from across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Tuesday 18 August
The Centre for Development and Enterprise releases the first report in its Johannesburg Matters series. Joburg in Jeopardy sets out the scale of the city’s decline and implications for South Africa as a whole.
National Treasury launches Money Smart Week South Africa 2026, its annual financial literacy campaign.
National Council of Provinces delegates begin a four-day programme in their respective provinces to assess progress on public infrastructure and municipal service delivery following previous oversight visits.
Also in Parliament:
- Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson and Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie update the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture on the Sarah Baartman Centre of Remembrance, which was meant to be completed in 2016.
- The Standing Committee on Public Accounts is briefed by the Special Investigating Unit, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation and the National Prosecuting Authority on corruption proclamations, referrals and prosecutions.
- The Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources holds public hearings on the South African National Petroleum Company Bill.
- The South African Post Office briefs the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies on its transition out of business rescue.
- The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education is briefed by the Department on alleged racial profiling in school admissions in the Western Cape.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde launches the Lawyers in Police Stations Project in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, a partnership between the provincial government, SAPS and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.
DA Federal Leader Geordin Hill-Lewis launches the party’s Working For All Tour in Tshwane, the first stop in a five-city campaign roadshow ahead of the 4 November local government elections.
Meta goes on trial in California in a landmark case accusing the company of deliberately designing Facebook and Instagram to be addictive to children.
Wednesday 19 August
Ministers in the governance cluster take questions in the National Assembly. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni will be pressed on the political neutrality of government communication before the local government elections, while Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi will be questioned on stalled lifestyle audit regulations and the cost of officials suspended on full pay.
Parliament’s Section 89 Impeachment Committee receives an update on the appointment of the evidence leader and considers its draft terms of reference.
Also in Parliament:
- The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements is briefed on the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Bill.
- The Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans is briefed by the Chief of the South African National Defence Force on fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
- The Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development discusses progress in women’s economic empowerment.
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Blade Nzimande officiates the South African Women in Science Awards in Sandton.
National Coloured Congress MP Fadiel Adams gives evidence before the Madlanga Commission after his testimony was postponed last week.
Stats SA publishes the Consumer Price Index for July, providing the latest data on inflation.
The Supreme Court of Appeal hears Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s appeal in the #CancelCoal litigation concerning plans to procure 1,500MW of new coal-fired power.
The US is set to impose new 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian imports.
Thursday 20 August
The National Assembly considers committee reports on PRASA’s general overhaul programme and interventions to control foot-and-mouth disease in the Free State.
Former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula returns to the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, where her defence is expected to apply for her discharge after the State closed its case in her corruption trial.
Morocco marks Revolution Day, commemorating the 1953 exile of Sultan Mohammed V by the French colonial authorities and the subsequent struggle for independence.
Friday 21 August
The National Assembly holds mini-plenary sessions including first-reading debates on the Long-term Insurance Amendment Bill and the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Amendment Bill.
Also in Parliament:
- The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education is briefed by the Department on the joint interim report on the statutory rape of young girls.
- The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies receives a briefing from TikTok on content moderation, election integrity and efforts to combat misinformation.
Champions Arsenal host newly promoted Coventry City in the first game of the Premier League season at the Emirates Stadium in London.
Saturday 22 August
The Springboks host the All Blacks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, the first of four Tests in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour.
Sunday 23 August
The African National Congress launches its 2026 local government election manifesto in Diepsloot, setting out the party’s priorities and commitments ahead of the 4 November elections.
Kazakhstan holds its first election under the new constitution, choosing all 145 members of the unicameral Kurultai that replaced the bicameral parliament on 1 July.
The Dutch F1 Grand Prix takes place at Circuit Zandvoort.
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