South Africa remembers the Women’s March of 1956.
Monday 4 August
MPs in the National Council of Provinces begin their constituency period which runs until Monday 1 September.
The ANC concludes its NEC meeting at which delegates are reportedly unhappy at the quality of catering on offer. On the agenda is the intention of its alliance partners, the SA Communist Party, to contest elections independently in protest at the ANC’s abandonment of working class interests.
Deputy Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Nomalungelo Gina will launch a suite of locally developed assistive technologies for people with disabilities in Bloemfontein.
A UN committee convenes in Geneva to advance negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty, aiming to curb plastic pollution through binding international commitments.
World Breastfeeding Week continues, with this year’s focus on strengthening healthcare and workplace support for mothers. Backed by WHO and UNICEF, the campaign highlights breastfeeding as a foundation for lifelong health, equity, and economic resilience.
On this day in 1993, the Rwandan government and the Rwandan Patriotic Front signed the Arusha Accords, formally ending the Rwandan Civil War and setting terms for power-sharing and demobilisation.
Tuesday 5 August
Deputy President Paul Mashatile joins the Clean Cities, Towns and Villages Campaign in Bloemfontein.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host the Ketagalan Forum, an Indo-Pacific security dialogue in Taipei. Keynote speakers include former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former French National Assembly President François de Rugy.
Hindu followers observe Shravana Putrada Ekadashi, a day of fasting dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Wednesday 6 August
President Cyril Ramaphosa chairs a Cabinet meeting at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
The P20 Meeting of Women Parliamentarians opens in Cape Town under South Africa’s G20 presidency.
Municipal by-elections take place in Nelson Mandela Bay, offering a bellwether of party support ahead of the upcoming 2026 local elections.
Karol Nawrocki will be inaugurated as President of Poland, following his narrow second-round victory on 1 June with 50.89% of the vote.
Today marks the 80th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb Hiroshima in 1945, the first instance of nuclear warfare.
Thursday 7 August
Deputy President Paul Mashatile will unveil a bust of anti-apartheid activist Mbulelo Ngcono at a ceremony in Lurwayizo in the Eastern Cape.
A 30% US tariff on South African goods takes effect today, following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump last week. The White House delayed implementation by seven days to allow US Customs time to enforce the new duty.
Stats SA releases electricity generation and distribution data for June 2025, providing insight into supply trends ahead of peak demand season.
Stats SA will also publish the May 2025 data on manufacturing capacity use by large enterprises, offering a snapshot of industrial demand.
From today, all online service providers in the UK will be required to submit children’s risk assessments to Ofcom, the country’s communications regulator.
The Bank of England will announce its latest interest rate decision, following four cuts since August 2024.
Former US President Joe Biden’s Advisor Anita Dunn is set to appear before a congressional committee inquiry into Biden’s mental state during his time in office.
Friday 8 August
Deputy President Paul Mashatile hosts a dialogue with the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders at the Presidential Guest House in Tshwane.
Today is US President Donald Trump’s deadline for Russia to reach a peace agreement with Ukraine.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva has until today to decide whether to sign or veto a development law critics say threatens the Amazon. The bill will fast-track environmental licensing and reduce protections for indigenous communities.
The UN General Assembly will hold informal consultations on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing responses to future threats.
Bafana Bafana face off against Algeria at Mandela National Stadium in Uganda for the African Nations Championship tournament.
Saturday 9 August
South Africa marks Women’s Day, commemorating the 1956 march against pass laws and celebrating women’s contributions to freedom and democracy.
President Ramaphosa delivers the keynote at the National Women’s Day event in Nkowankowa, Limpopo.
The UN marks the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples under the theme “Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures”.
A national march for Palestine will take place in London under the banner Stop Starving Gaza – Stop Arming Israel, as part of the UK’s ongoing Summer of Action for Gaza.
Jewish people around the world celebrate The 15th of Av, a holiday celebrating love and relationships, akin to the secular Valentine’s Day.
Sunday 10 August
The African Union observes Africa Day of Decentralisation and Local Development.
Liverpool face Crystal Palace in the FA Community Shield at Wembley, the traditional curtain-raiser for the 2025/26 Premier League season.
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