Soweto Uprising remembered in SA, while global attention shifts to war in the Middle East.
Monday 16 June
On this day in 1976, police opened fire on around 10,000 students protesting the compulsory use of Afrikaans in Soweto schools. The violence sparked a wave of unrest that spread across the country, leaving hundreds dead, thousands injured, and marking the start of a new phase in the anti-apartheid struggle.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile will deliver the keynote address at the national Youth Day commemoration in Potchefstroom, North West.
The Gauteng government marks Youth Day at Morris Isaacson High School in Soweto with a wreath-laying ceremony and youth expo.
DA leader John Steenhuisen will commemorate Youth Day in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, where he will address a rally on youth unemployment and economic opportunity.
Strikes between Israel and Iran are set to continue following a weekend of escalating violence. Israeli airstrikes targeted over 80 sites in Tehran, including nuclear and military facilities, killing at least 78 people and wounding more than 320. Iranian missile attacks have killed 13 people in Israel.
The G7 summit continues in Kananaskis, Canada with the agenda likely to be dominated by war in the Middle East, trade, energy and critical minerals. President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to meet US President Donald Trump on the sidelines to discuss bilateral trade issues, including AGOA and tariffs.
The United Nations hosts the 2025 Bonn Climate Change Conference.
The African Union will mark the Day of the African Child with a webinar on ‘Equity at the Heart of the AU Decade of Education’.
Tuesday 17 June
Deputy President Paul Mashatile begins a five-day visit to Russia focused on trade and investment. He will meet President Vladimir Putin and speak at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, accompanied by several ministers and deputy ministers.
Environment Minister Dion George and Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts lead a ministerial imbizo in Limpopo to mark Desertification and Drought Day.
DA public representatives Matlhodi Maseko MP, Karabo Khakhau MP, Baxolile Nodada MP and Yusuf Cassim MPL will visit a student residence in North End, Gqeberha, to highlight what they call a national crisis in student accommodation.
The Africa Energy Forum opens in Cape Town. South Africa’s Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Deputy Minister Samantha Graham-Maré, and Eskom CEO Dan Marokane are among the headline speakers.
Resilience experts Gareth Morgan and Peter Willis will launch their new book Becoming Good at Crises: A Field Guide for Leaders at the Book Lounge in Cape Town. They will be in conversation with novelist and former spin-doctor Nick Clelland.
The Portfolio Committee on Health continues public hearings on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill.
The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies will be briefed by the South African Post Office, Postbank and .za Domain Name Authority on their strategic plans.
Ministers in the Peace and Security cluster will answer questions from MPs in the National Council of Provinces. Topics include the closing down of the Israeli embassy, illegal immigration and the NPA’s progress prosecuting state capture cases.
A UN conference on Palestinian statehood, due to begin today in New York, has been postponed amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, following mutual strikes and growing instability across the Middle East.
The International Energy Agency will release Oil 2025, its medium-term outlook on global oil markets, covering supply, demand, refining, and trade trends through 2030. The report comes amid a sharp rise in oil prices triggered by the escalating Iran-Israel conflict.
The OECD will launch its Global Drought Outlook report, offering a global assessment of drought trends and the policies needed to adapt to increasingly dry conditions.
The Bank of Japan is expected to hold interest rates at 0.5% as it monitors the effects of US tariffs and ongoing trade talks.
Wednesday 18 June
Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) Executive Director Ann Bernstein will host retired Supreme Court of Appeal judge Azhar Cachalia for an online discussion on the state of the nation and the rule of law.
By-elections will be held in Ward 6 of Thaba Chweu Municipality, Mpumalanga.
The Portfolio Committee on Police will consider the 2025 plans of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate and the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority.
Statistics South Africa will release the Consumer Price Index for May 2025, providing an update on the country’s inflation trends.
The US Federal Reserve is expected to keep rates steady for the fourth consecutive meeting, despite pressure from President Donald Trump to implement aggressive cuts.
The UN marks the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, focusing on the role of artificial intelligence in amplifying hate speech.
Thursday 19 June
On this day in 1913, South Africa’s Land Act came into effect, prohibiting black South Africans from owning or renting land outside of designated rural “native reserves”, laying the foundation for decades of institutionalised racial segregation.
The National Council of Provinces will hold a plenary session for questions to the President.
Environment Minister Dion George will brief the media in Cape Town on his first year in office, reflecting on key milestones and progress since his appointment in July 2024.
The Bank of England is expected to keep interest rates on hold at 4.25% when it meets today, following May’s quarter-point cut.
Friday 20 June
President Cyril Ramaphosa will participate in an event marking the 30th anniversary of the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
President Ramaphosa will address the World Council of Churches Summit in Johannesburg, reflecting on the role of religion in tackling domestic and global challenges.
The South African Navy kicks off its World Hydrography Day celebration in East London, with events including a lecture and panel discussion on hydrography’s role in navigation and maritime security.
World Refugee Day is commemorated to highlight the challenges faced by people displaced by conflict or persecution. It occurs amid protests outside US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, where activists are demanding more humane treatment of asylum seekers.
Saturday 21 June
The winter solstice occurs in the Southern Hemisphere at 04:41 SAST, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year.
President Vladimir Putin will deliver the closing address at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Russia’s flagship business gathering focused on global investment, trade and economic policy.
Türkiye hosts the 51st session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul, chaired by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign will lead a national demonstration in London, marching under the banner “End the genocide – stop arming Israel – stop starving Gaza”.
London Climate Action Week returns for its seventh year as Europe’s largest city-wide climate festival.
The International Day of Yoga is observed under the theme Yoga for One Earth, One Health, highlighting the link between personal wellbeing and planetary health.
Sunday 22 June
US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is scheduled to address Israel’s Knesset, becoming only the third House Speaker in history to do so. His speech is expected to reaffirm US-Israel ties amid Israel’s ongoing conflict with Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah.
Tesla is tentatively set to launch its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas using self-driving electric vehicles.
On this day in 1633, Galileo Galilei was forced by the Roman Catholic Inquisition to recant his support for the Copernican model, which held that the Earth orbits the Sun.
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