South Africans elect new municipal councils in towns and cities on Wednesday.
Monday 2 November
The National Assembly remains on constituency leave until after the 4 November local government elections.
The Electoral Commission begins two days of special voting ahead of Wednesday’s local government elections, with a record 2.65 million applicants approved for early voting.
DA leader and Cape Town mayoral candidate Geordin Hill-Lewis visits voting stations in Durbanville and Claremont, as special voting begins.
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Blade Nzimande visits the Institute for Advanced Tooling at Walter Sisulu University’s Buffalo City campus in East London.
COSATU General Secretary Zingiswa Losi campaigns in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape as the federation mobilises support for the ANC and SACP ahead of the municipal elections.
The US is expected to announce whether South Africa will retain its preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in 2027.
Former Department of Social Development spokesperson Lumka Oliphant returns to work after an arbitration ruling found her dismissal under former Minister Sisisi Tolashe procedurally and substantively unfair.
South Africa marks the start of National Responsible Gambling Month, an industry-wide initiative coordinated by the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation to raise awareness of problem gambling.
Tuesday 3 November
The MK Party concludes its nationwide Molo Makhelwane campaign, with councillor candidates and volunteers visiting households and engaging communities ahead of the municipal elections.
South Africa’s National Senior Certificate examinations pause for three days to accommodate the municipal elections.
Americans vote in midterm elections for 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 Senate seats, determining which party controls Congress for the second half of President Donald Trump’s term.
King Charles III joins UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Commonwealth summit in Antigua and Barbuda, where Caribbean leaders are expected to press demands for slavery reparations.
The UN General Assembly holds its 35th plenary meeting under President Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh.
Stevie Wonder begins a two-night engagement at London’s O2 Arena, performing his landmark 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life in full to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Wednesday 4 November
South Africans vote in the 2026 Local Government Elections, with polling stations open from 7am to 9pm and the day declared a public holiday. The outcome determines the composition of municipal councils across the country for the next five years.
Around 29 million registered voters are eligible to choose between 136 790 candidates representing 546 political parties.
The ANC and DA are neck-and-neck nationally in the latest Ipsos poll, with neither party commanding majority support and coalition governments expected in many municipalities.
Police have identified 33 high-risk voting stations in Cape Town following taxi violence which has seen more than 10 people killed.
Temporary fuel levy reductions announced by Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana take effect, cutting the levy on diesel by R3 a litre and petrol by R1.50 a litre until 1 December.
The UK Supreme Court begins a two-day hearing of Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori’s challenge to the group’s terrorist designation.
Thursday 5 November
The Electoral Commission continues processing and verifying municipal election results at its National Results Operations Centre in Midrand.
Stats SA releases its 2024 Perinatal Deaths in South Africa report and preliminary electricity generation and distribution figures for September 2026.
French trade unions and student organisations hold a nationwide strike over low wages, the cost of living and deteriorating public services.
Grenada holds a snap general election for all 15 seats in the House of Representatives.
The Bank of England announces its latest interest-rate decision and publishes its quarterly Monetary Policy Report.
The UN Human Rights Council reviews Tanzania’s human rights record in Geneva as part of its Universal Periodic Review process.
World Tsunami Awareness Day promotes early warning systems and community preparedness in tsunami-prone regions.
Friday 6 November
Kenyan cult leader Paul Mackenzie is due to be sentenced in Mombasa after being convicted of murdering 191 people, most of them children.
Former Colombian president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Juan Manuel Santos delivers the 24th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in Cape Town.
Pope Leo XIV arrives in Uruguay to begin his first Latin America tour as pontiff.
Saturday 7 November
New Zealanders vote in a general election with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s National-led coalition seeking a second term against Chris Hipkins’ Labour Party.
The Springboks open their Nations Championship Northern Hemisphere Series campaign against Italy at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.
Sunday 8 November
King Charles attends a Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London.
The Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place at Interlagos in São Paulo.
Hindus celebrate Diwali, the main day of the five-day festival of lights.
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