As US bombs fall on Iran, a historic DRC-Rwanda peace deal is signed.
Monday 23 June
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visits Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin following US and Israeli strikes on Iranian soil. Araghchi has warned of “everlasting consequences” for the attack, which he says is a violation of the UN Charter.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is to hold an emergency meeting after US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites. Iran is demanding an investigation and has threatened to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
European Union (EU) foreign ministers will meet in Brussels to discuss military support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia. Also on the agenda is the escalating US/Israel-Iran conflict, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urging all sides to return to the negotiating table.
Cooperative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa convenes a dialogue with political parties in Midrand to review the 1998 White Paper on Local Government.
Chairperson of the Higher Education Portfolio Committee Tebogo Letsie briefs the media on SETA governance. Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has been accused of misleading Parliament and turning a blind eye to alleged corruption at the Construction SETA.
Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry becomes the first African and first woman to lead the International Olympic Committee.
Zambia had originally planned to hold a state funeral for former president Edgar Lungu today, but it was cancelled after his family blocked the body’s repatriation from South Africa. Lungu will instead be buried in a private ceremony in Johannesburg.
The African Union (AU) observes Public Service Day in Addis Ababa.
Nigeria hosts the AU’s fourth Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Forum.
Tuesday 24 June
President Ramaphosa conducts an oversight visit to Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria.
Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen will launch a national Blanket Drive on Tuesday to mark the party’s 25th anniversary and bring winter relief to vulnerable communities.
Defence Minister Angie Motshekga will answer questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). Topics include defence review implementation, military healthcare, and the verification process for military veterans.
The Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition will engage the Department and the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) on the process to award the National Lottery operator licence. The NLC has suffered five consecutive court losses in recent legal battles over the R100 billion tender.
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts will meet to address matters relating to the Road Accident Fund. The meeting comes amid reports that two media contracts, worth a combined R1 billion, may have been awarded irregularly.
The Public Service Commission will brief the media on its latest Pulse of the Public Service bulletin. The report addresses leave trends, representivity in the public sector, non-payment of suppliers and the broader economic crisis.
Statistics South Africa releases its Quarterly Employment Statistics for March 2025.
The Netherlands hosts the 2025 NATO Summit at the World Forum in The Hague. Around 9,000 people will attend the event, including some 45 heads of state and government.
New York City holds its Democratic mayoral primary after a heated final stretch, with Andrew Cuomo, Zohran Mamdani and Brad Lander clashing over Trump ties, campaign funding and personal integrity.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez begin their three-day wedding celebration in Venice, with festivities planned on the billionaire’s $500 million yacht and at events across the city.
Wednesday 25 June
President Cyril Ramaphosa will chair a Cabinet meeting at Tuynhuis in Cape Town.
The NCOP will hold a plenary session for oral questions to the President, postponed from last week. Topics include youth unemployment, an alleged ‘anti-transformation agenda’ in the GNU and whether the President has changed his mind on black economic empowerment following his recent visit to the US.
Ministers in the Economic Cluster appear before the National Assembly to answer MP’s questions.
SAPS will brief the Police Portfolio Committee on the case of Jayden-Lee Meek, the 11-year-old boy found dead outside his home in Roodepoort, amid growing concern over police handling of violence against children.
Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa will brief the Portfolio Committee on allegations made by the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party regarding the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.
Nine new MK Party members will be sworn in as MPs in the National Assembly. The list notably excludes Floyd Shivambu, the party’s former Secretary-General, who was expected to be redeployed to Parliament after his demotion earlier this month.
The City of Johannesburg council begins a two-day debate on the DA’s motion of no confidence in Mayor Dada Morero, Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu and Chief Whip Sithembiso Zungu.
Municipal by-elections will be held in three wards across Gauteng and the Western Cape: Tshwane Ward 56, Mossel Bay Ward 9, and Knysna Ward 8.
The Aspen Ideas Festival convenes in Colorado to explore artificial intelligence, economic reform, geopolitics and the arts. This year’s speakers include journalist Fareed Zakaria, Blackrock CEO Laurence Fink and actor Sean Penn.
Mamelodi Sundowns face Brazil’s Fluminense in their final Group F match at the FIFA Club World Cup.
On this day in 1950, North Korea launched a surprise attack on South Korea across the 38th parallel, igniting the Korean War.
Thursday 26 June
Muslims around the world observe the Islamic New Year (subject to the sighting of the moon).
Parliament will debate the Division of Revenue Bill, following consideration of the Appropriations Committee’s report on the bill.
The Energy Institute launches the 74th edition of its Statistical Review of World Energy. The annual report provides key data and analysis on global energy trends, including production, consumption, emissions, and the growing role of renewables.
The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed to raise awareness and promote action against the global drug trade.
On this day in 1963 US President John F. Kennedy delivered his iconic “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech in West Berlin.
Friday 27 June
President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the ninth Southern African Customs Union Heads of State and Government Summit in Windhoek, hosted by Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
The National Assembly will hold a debate on Budget Vote 8: National Treasury, focusing on spending priorities, fiscal policy, and economic recovery measures.
The Joint Standing Committee on Defence will be briefed by the SANDF on its land border safeguarding operations.
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are expected to formally sign a US- and Qatar-mediated peace agreement in Washington DC, aiming to end decades of conflict in the eastern DRC. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to attend.
The Glastonbury Festival opens in Somerset, England and is expected to draw over 200,000 attendees. Headliners include The 1975, Neil Young, Charli XCX and South Africa’s own Jeremy Loops.
Saturday 28 June
The Springboks kick off their 2025 season with a historic clash against the Barbarians at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium, the invitational side’s first-ever match on South African soil.
On this day in 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated, triggering a chain of events that led to the outbreak of World War I.
Sunday 29 June
President Ramaphosa travels to Seville, Spain, to participate in the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development.
Pressure group ‘Christians United for Israel’ holds its 20th Washington Summit to advocate for stronger US-Israel ties. This will take place a week after US aircraft bombed Iranian nuclear sites, in co-operation with the Israeli military.
The Austrian Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.
On this day in 2021, former South African President Jacob Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison for defying a Constitutional Court order to appear before the Zondo Commission investigating state capture.
If you would like an event to be considered for this newsletter, please email:
Ockham Communications relies on a range of sources to compile the Ockham Observer and cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or omissions.