OCKHAM OBSERVER

An eye on the week ahead

World leaders gather for UN General Assembly

World leaders assemble in New York, while South Africa marks Heritage Day and the Reserve Bank delivers its interest rate decision.

Monday 21 September
Members of the National Assembly return from their constituencies to begin the fourth term of the parliamentary calendar.

The Electoral Commission opens applications for special votes in the 4 November local government elections.

Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald launches Corrections Week at the Goodwood Art Gallery in Cape Town.

DA leader and Cape Town mayoral candidate Geordin Hill-Lewis launches his More Affordable Housing pledge at the Salt River Market site, before taking the party’s Working for All Tour to Nelson Mandela Bay for an afternoon town hall.

The Madlanga Commission resumes its cross-examination of Mpumalanga taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni.

National Treasury begins its pre-Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement investor-engagement close-out period, during which senior officials hold no investor meetings or media interviews while preparing the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement.

Tuesday 22 September
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola co-hosts a Global Leaders Network high-level session at the UN General Assembly on financing women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health.

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson joins United Arab Emirates Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri at the UAE Africa Dialogues in Dubai.

The Department of Agriculture updates Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Agriculture on its foot-and-mouth disease interventions.

PetroSA, the Strategic Fuel Fund and iGas brief Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources on their financial performance, as the three state fuel entities move towards consolidation into the new South African National Petroleum Company.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and US President Donald Trump address the UN General Assembly on the opening day of its General Debate.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and US President Donald Trump hold their first bilateral meeting following their respective addresses at the UN General Assembly.

Charles Spencer publishes Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, a memoir about the life and death of his sister, Diana, Princess of Wales.

The Booker Prize shortlist is announced at the Southbank Centre in London.

Wednesday 23 September
Stats SA releases the August consumer price index (CPI), the main measure of inflation in South Africa.

The South African Reserve Bank announces its latest interest rate decision, with market expectations shifting towards a 25 basis point hike after the US Federal Reserve raised rates.

The Department of Health and the South African National AIDS Council brief Parliament’s Health Portfolio Committee on the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs.

The Electoral Commission holds the draw that determines the order of parties on the ballot papers for the upcoming local government elections.

Political parties contesting the local government elections sign the Electoral Code of Conduct. It includes a new Counter Disinformation Code requiring parties and candidates to address false or misleading election information.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are among world leaders addressing the UN General Assembly in New York.

South Africa, Brazil, Norway and Spain host a UN General Assembly high-level event in New York on the proposed International Panel on Inequality, alongside Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz.

Morocco holds legislative elections for all 395 seats in the House of Representatives.

Thursday 24 September
South Africa marks Heritage Day, a public holiday celebrating the country’s diverse cultures and traditions.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the national Heritage Day commemoration in Thembalethu, George.

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts leads the Heritage Day tree-planting campaign to plant ten million trees in a single day.

DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis takes the party’s Working for All Tour to Johannesburg.

US President Donald Trump hosts Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses the UN General Assembly by video after being denied a US visa, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the Assembly in person.

The Proteas open a three-match one-day international series against Australia at Kingsmead in Durban.

Friday 25 September
The Electoral Commission issues certificates of candidacy electronically to successful candidates in the local government elections.

MK leader Jacob Zuma attends the relaunch and fundraising gala of the Jacob G Zuma Foundation in Umhlanga.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam addresses the UN General Assembly in New York.

Pope Leo XIV begins a four-day visit to France, the first official papal state visit since 2008, meeting President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace.

Saturday 26 September
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addresses the UN General Assembly in New York.

The Springbok Women face Italy in the WXV Global Series at Stadio Omero Tognon in Fontanafredda, Italy.

The Azerbaijan Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place on the Baku City Circuit.

Sunday 27 September
São Tomé and Príncipe holds parliamentary, regional and local elections.

Switzerland holds a federal referendum to entrench the country’s neutrality in the constitution.

The Springboks play a one-off Test against Australia at Optus Stadium in Perth.

The Proteas meet Australia in the second one-day international at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

Snoop Dogg hosts the MTV Video Music Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

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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.