2026 in South Africa
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Events in the year 2026 in South Africa.
Events
[edit]January
[edit]- 3 January – A car and a minibus taxi collide in Fouriesburg, killing six people.[1]
- 6 January – President Cyril Ramaphosa announces the appointment of Andy Mothibi as the new National Director of Public Prosecutions, replacing the retiring Shamila Batohi.[2]
- 15 January – Authorities close the Kruger National Park to day visitors due to severe flooding caused by rivers overflowing after days of heavy rain.[3] The government declares a national disaster on 18 January after 30 deaths are reported.[4]
- 19 January – A truck and a school minibus collide in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, killing 14 people and injuring five others.[5]
- 22 January – South Africa announces its withdrawal from engagements of the G20 for the duration of the United States' rotating presidency over the group.[6]
- 27–31 January – West Indian cricket team in South Africa in 2025–26[7]
- 29 January – A truck and a school minibus collide near Durban, killing 11 people.[8]
- 30 January – South Africa expels the Israeli charge d’affaires, Ariel Seidman, following the posting of official social media posts insulting President Ramaphosa, and a deliberate failure to inform South Africa of visits by Israeli officials.[9]
February
[edit]- 2 February – A white separatist group, Boervolk of the Orange Free State, files a formal claim in the Government Gazette of South Africa seeking land in KwaZulu-Natal, citing historical transactions with Zulu rulers and invoking the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.[10]
- 4 February – John Steenhuisen announces that he would not stand for reelection as leader of the Democratic Alliance in a party conference scheduled in April.[11]
Upcoming
[edit]- 10 February – 1 March – Pakistan women's cricket team in South Africa in 2025–26[12][13]
- 2 November 2026 – 1 February 2027 (TBD) – 2026 South African municipal elections[14]
Art and entertainment
[edit]Holidays
[edit]- 1 January – New Year's Day
- 21 March – Human Rights Day
- 3 April – Good Friday
- 6 April – Family Day
- 27 – 28 April – Freedom Day
- 1 May – International Workers' Day
- 16 June – Youth Day
- 9 – 10 August – National Women's Day
- 24 September – Heritage Day
- 16 December – Day of Reconciliation
- 25 December – Christmas Day
- 26 December – Day of Goodwill
Deaths
[edit]- 3 January – Errol Moorcroft, 85, member of the House of Assembly (1981–1987, 1989–1994) and National Assembly (1999–2004).[17]
- 22 January – Bravo Le Roux, 30, rapper[18]
- 24 January – Mandla Magwaza, 42, radio presenter[19]
See also
[edit]
Country overviews
[edit]Related timelines for current period
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Six lives lost in tragic R26 collision between sedan and minibus taxi near Fouriesburg". IOL. 4 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ^ Patel, Faizel (6 January 2026). "Ramaphosa appoints Advocate Jan Lekgoa Mothibi as new NDPP". The Citizen. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
- ^ Hlophe, Thando (16 January 2026). "South Africa's Kruger National Park shuts after severe floods". Reuters. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
- ^ "South Africa declares a national disaster over flooding and severe weather". AP News. 18 January 2026. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
- ^ "Death toll in South Africa school bus crash rises to 14 as the driver is charged with murder". AP News. 23 January 2026. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ "South Africa to step aside from G20 during United States presidency". Africanews. 23 January 2026. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ "CSA trims West Indies T20I series to three games". Cricbuzz. 30 September 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ "11 dead in minibus and truck collision in South Africa days after a similar crash killed 14 children". AP News. 29 January 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ "South Africa declares Israel's deputy ambassador persona non grata, orders him to leave country". AP News. 30 January 2026. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
- ^ [https://www.reuters.com/world/south-african-white-separatists-claim-land-acquired-zulu-king-then-lost-british-2026-02-02/
- ^ "Leader of South Africa's second biggest political party says he will step down". AP News. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "CSA Announces Home Schedule For The 2025/26 International Season". Cricket South Africa. 7 October 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ "South Africa Reveals International Fixtures for 2025/26 Home Season". Criczine. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ "Cabinet approves establishment of IMC for 2026 Municipal Elections". SAnews. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ "South Africa Public Holidays 2026". Public Holidays Global. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ "Public holidays in South Africa". Government of South Africa. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ "Former DA Federal Chairperson Errol Moorcroft Has Passed Away". Central News. 4 January 2026. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
- ^ Shumba, Ano (26 January 2026). "Condolences pour in for SA rapper Bravo Le Roux". Music in Africa. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ Shumba, Ano (26 January 2026). "South African radio presenter Njinji dies". Music in Africa. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
External links
[edit]
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