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Events Calendar 2020
Event
Calender of: 2004
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
This document contains
a list of major international and departmental events for the year 2016. Information on a specific event can be accessed by clicking on a link, where available.
Although all reasonable care is taken to maintain and update this information,
users should please check with the Department
on the date and venue of an event before taking any action in respect of that
event.
January
2020
- 1 Jan: New Year's Day
- 11-12 Jan: Official Visit by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, to Pretoria, South Africa
- 14-16 Jan: Fifth Raisina Dialogue Conference, New Delhi, India
- 14-17 Jan: 10th South Africa – India Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), New Delhi, India
- 20 Jan: United Kingdom (UK) – Africa Investment Summit 2020, London, United Kingdom
- 21-24 Jan: World Economic Forum, Davos-Klosters, Switzerland
- 23 Jan: Deputy Minister Alvin Botes hosts students from the Westbury Secondary School, Pretoria, South Africa
- 28 Jan: Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa the South African Heads of Missions Conference (HoM), OR Tambo Building, Pretoria, South Africa
- 28 Jan: Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) hosts the Africa Heads of Missions Conference, OR Tambo Building, Pretoria, South Africa
- 26 Jan: World Leprosy Day
- 31 Jan: Working Visit by President Gen Salva Kiir Mayardit, of the Republic of South Sudan, to Pretoria, South Africa
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February
2020
- 2 Feb: World Wetlands Day
- 3 Feb: South Africa – Netherlands Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC), Pretoria, South Africa (Media Invite)
- 3 Feb: Deputy Minister Candith Mashego-Dlamini participates in a “Back-to-School“ Outreach, Mukhari Secondary School, Mookgopong, Limpopo, South Africa
- 3 Feb: Minister Naledi Pandor delivers a keynote address at the launch of the Mapungubwe Institute’s Publication: Africa and the World: Navigating Shifting Geopolitics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- 4 Feb: World Cancer Day
- 5-7 Feb: Official Visit by Chancellor Angela Merkel, of the Federal Republic of Germany, to Pretoria, South Africa
- 6 Feb: Parliament briefs the media on the 2020 State of the Nation Address, Cape Town, South Africa
- 7 Feb: Deputy Minister Candith Mashego-Dlamini participates in a “Back-to-School“ Outreach, Manzini Combined School, Mpumalanga, South Africa
- 9-10 Feb: 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Summit, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Media Statement)
- 13 Feb: State of the Nation Address to a Joint Sitting of Parliament by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Cape Town, South Africa
- 15 Feb: President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the Ubuntu Awards Ceremony, Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town, South Africa
- 15 Feb: Annual Ubuntu Awards under the theme: “Celebrating Excellence in Diplomacy – Working Together to Build a Better Africa and a Better World”, Cape Town, South Africa
- 15 Feb: Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) hosts the annual Ubuntu Awards for 2020, Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town, South Africa
- 20 Feb: World Day of Social Justice
- 21 Feb: South Africa – Portugal Bilateral Consultations, Pretoria, South Africa
- 21 Feb: International Mother Language Day
- 21 Feb: International Tourist Guide Day
- 24-26 Feb: High-Level Segment of the 43rd Session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, Geneva, Switzerland
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March 2020
- March: Human Rights Month (South Africa)
- March: TB Awareness Month (South Africa)
- 8 Mar: International Women's Day
- 9 Mar: Commonwealth Day
- 8-14 Mar: World Glaucoma Week
- 10 Mar: President Cyril Ramaphosa hosts Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, of the Government of National Accord of the State of Libya, in Pretoria, South Africa
- 11-12 Mar: Working Visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa for the Inaugural Meeting of the Contact Group on Libya, to Oyo, Republic of Congo
- 13 Mar: Deputy Minister Candith Mashego-Dlamini addresses a symposium on South Africa’s chairing of the African Union (AU), University of Venda, Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province, South Africa – Media Invite
- 15 Mar: Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on measures to combat COVID-19 Epidemic, Pretoria, South Africa
- 15 Mar: World Consumer Rights Day
- 18 Mar: Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers Meeting, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Pretoria, South Africa
- 20 Mar: Tenth Meeting of the South Africa – Germany Bi-National Commission, Pretoria, South Africa
- 21
Mar: Human Rights Day (South Africa)
- 21 Mar: World Poetry Day
- 21 Mar: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
- 22 Mar: World Water Day
- 23 Mar: Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on escalation of measures to combat COVID-19 Epidemic, Pretoria, South Africa
- 24-25 Mar: Media Briefing to further unpack Government’s Intervention Measures on COVID-19, Pretoria, South Africa
- 25 Mar: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
- 26 Mar: Bureau of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government Teleconference on COVID-19, Pretoria, South Africa
- 26 Mar: G20 Leaders’ Summit Video-teleconference
- 30 Mar: Message by President Cyril Ramaphosa on COVID-19 pandemic, Pretoria, South Africa
- 31 Mar: Media Briefing to update Government’s Lockdown Intervention Measures on COVID-19, Pretoria, South Africa
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April 2020
- April: Freedom Month (South Africa)
- 3 Apr: African Union (AU) Bureau of Heads of State and Government Teleconference Meeting, Pretoria, South Africa
- 4 Apr: International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action
- 9 Apr: President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the nation, Pretoria, South Africa (Media Statement)
- 10 Apr: Good Friday
- 13 Apr: Family Day
- 14 Apr: Government of the People’s Republic of China donates Humanitarian Aid for COVID-19 to South Africa, OR Tambo International Airport, Kempton Park, South Africa
- 21 Apr: Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on further Economic and Social Measures in response the COVID-19 Epidemic, Union Buildings, Pretoria, South Africa
- 22 Apr: Virtual Meeting by President Cyril Ramaphosa with African business leaders on the continent, Pretoria, South Africa
- 22 Apr: International Mother Earth Day
- 23 Apr: President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the nation, Pretoria, South Africa (Media Statement)
- 23 Apr: World Book and Copyright Day
- 24 Apr: President Cyril Ramaphosa participates in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) global collaboration on COVID-19 tools, Pretoria, South Africa
- 26 Apr: Minister Naledi Pandor welcomes the Cuban Medical Brigade, Waterkloof Air Force Base, Pretoria, South Africa
- 26 Apr: World Intellectual Property Day
- 27 Apr: Freedom
Day (South Africa)
- 27 Apr: World Veterinary Day
- 29 Apr: Teleconference Meeting of the Bureau of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government with Chairpersons of the Regional Economic Communities of the AU, Pretoria, South Africa
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May 2020
- May: Africa Month
- May: Energy Month (South Africa)
- 1 May: Workers Day (South Africa)
- 3 May: World Press Freedom Day
- 4 May: Online Summit-level Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement Contact Group in response to COVID-19. Pretoria, South Africa - (Media Statement)
- 13 May: Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on South Africa’s response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Pretoria, South Africa
- 15 May: International Day of Families
- 17 May: World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
- 18 May: International Museum Day
- 21 May: Virtual Media Briefing by Minister Naledi Pandor on the Repatriation of stranded South Africans abroad, Pretoria, South Africa
- 21 May: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
- 22 May: International Day for Biological Diversity
- 24 May: Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa on South Africa’s response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Pretoria, South Africa
- 25 May: Africa Day
- 28 May: Minister Naledi Pandor leads a webinar on the impact of COVID-19 on the African continent, Pretoria, South Africa (Webinar information)
- 29 May: Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers Video-Conference Meeting, Pretoria, South Africa
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June 2020
- June: Youth Month (South Africa)
- June: Environment Month (South Africa)
- 4 Jun: International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression
- 8 Jun: World Oceans Day
- 11 Jun: Virtual Meeting of the African Union (AU) Bureau of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government and Chairpersons of AU Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Pretoria, South Africa
- 11 Jun: Youth Month webinar on “Diplomacy and Youth in the Age of the COVID-19 Pandemic” hosted by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Pretoria, South Africa (Webinar information) (Online registration)
- 13 Jun: International Albinism Awareness Day
- 14 Jun: World Blood Donor Day
- 15 Jun: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
- 16 Jun: Youth Day (South Africa)
- 17 Jun: Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa on South Africa’s response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Pretoria, South Africa
- 17 Jun: Virtual Extraordinary China-Africa Solidarity Summit against COVID-19 co-hosted by the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the African Union (AU), Pretoria, South Africa
- 17 Jun: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
- 18 Jun: Virtual Media Conference by President Cyril Ramaphosa as the Chairperson of the African Union (AU), provides public update on continental strategy to fight COVID-19, Pretoria, South Africa
- 20 Jun: World Refugee Day
- 23 Jun: Africa Public Service Day
- 26 Jun: International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
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July
2020
- July: Nelson Mandela Month
- July: Moral Regeneration Month (South Africa)
- 1 Jul: Deputy Minister Alvin Botes visits the COVID-19 Humanitarian Staging Area, OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), Kempton Park, South Africa
- 11
Jul: World Population Day
- 12 Jul: Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on progress in the national effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, Pretoria, South Africa
- 14 Jul: 14th Session of the European Union – South Africa Ministerial Political Dialogue, Pretoria, South Africa
- 17 Jul: Nelson Mandela Day Outreach Programme and Virtual Celebration, Pretoria, South Africa
- 18 Jul: International Nelson Mandela Day 2020 - Commemorative Event
- 18 Jul: Nelson Mandela Day
- 20 Jul: Minister Naledi Pandor participates in a Virtual Meeting of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to observe the annual Nelson Mandela International Day, New York,
- 23 Jul: Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on progress in the national effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, Pretoria, South Africa
- 28 Jul: World Hepatitis Day
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August
2020
- August: Women's Month (South Africa)
- 2-5 Aug: Visits by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes, as part of Cabinet deployment to combat Gender-Based Violence and COVID-19, to Prince Albert, Karoo and the Southern Cape, South Africa
- 5 Aug: Virtual Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ Troika, Pretoria, South Africa
- 9
Aug: Women's Day (South Africa)
- 9 Aug: International Day of the World's Indigenous People
- 12 Aug: Minister Naledi Pandor participates in the United Nations Security Council Debate on the Pandemics and Sustainable Peace, Pretoria, South Africa
- 12 Aug: 2020 International Youth Day Virtual Dialogue on Silencing the Guns in our lifetime: Peace and Security Agenda, under the theme: "Youth Engagement for Global Action”, Pretoria, South Africa
- 12 Aug: International Youth Day
- 13 Aug: Virtual Meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers, Pretoria, South Africa
- 14 Aug: Women’s Month Webinar under the theme: “Generation Equality: Realising women’s rights for an equal future”, Pretoria, South Africa
- 15 Aug: Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on progress in the national effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, Pretoria, South Africa
- 17 Aug: 40th SADC Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government, Pretoria, South Africa
- 27-28 Aug: 2020 Gertrude Shope Annual Dialogue Forum, Pretoria, South Africa – Media Advisory
- 31 Aug: African Traditional Medicine Day
Top
September
2020
- September: Heritage Month (South Africa)
- September: Tourism Month (South Africa)
- September: Public Service Month (South Africa)
- September: Heart Awareness Month (South Africa)
- September: Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (South Africa)
- September: Oral Health Month (South Africa)
- September: National Month of Deaf People (South Africa)
- 3 Sep: Virtual Extraordinary G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Pretoria, South Africa
- 8 Sep: International Literacy Day
- 9 Sep: World Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Day
- 10 Sep: World Suicide Prevention Day
- 14 Sep: Deputy Minister Alvin Botes receives donation to the Solidarity Fund from the Government of the United Kingdom (UK), Pretoria, South Africa
- 15 Sep: Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministerial Committee of the Organ Meeting, Pretoria, South Africa
- 15 Sep: International Day of Democracy
- 16 Sep: Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on progress in the national effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, Union Buildings, Pretoria, South Africa
- 16 Sep: IBSA Joint Ministerial Meeting on Reform of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, Pretoria, South Africa
- 16 Sep: Minister Naledi Pandor delivers an online Lecture at the WITS School of Governance on the theme ‘South Africa’s place in the changing global order’, New York, USA
- 16 Sep: High-Level Symposium on Women, Peace and Leadership, Pretoria, South Africa
- 16 Sep: International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
- 18 Sep-2 Oct: Virtual Sessions of the 75th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA75), New York, USA
- 18 Sep-2 Oct: President Cyril Ramaphosa participates in virtual sessions of the 75th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA75), New York, USA
- 21 Sep: International Day of Peace
- 21 Sep: World Alzheimer's Day
- 21 Sep-18 Oct: Eye Care Awareness Month (South Africa)
- 22 Sep: President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the virtual General Debate of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA75), New York, USA
- 22 Sep: President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his Capacity as the African Union (AU) Chairperson, addresses the opening day of the General Debate of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, New York, USA
- 22-29 Sep: 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) General Debate, New York, USA
- 23 Sep: President Cyril Ramaphosa participates in the High Level Virtual Panel hosted by the G7 Partnership for Women’s Digital Financial Inclusion in Africa, New York, USA
- 24 Sep: High-level Meeting of the UN Security Council to be held under theme: “Global Governance and post-COVID-19, New York, USA
- 24 Sep: Heritage Day (South Africa)
- 25 Sep: Virtual Ministerial Meeting of the Alliance for Multilateralism under the theme: “Our Commitment and Contribution to Building Back Better”, New York, USA
- 29 Sep: High-level Meeting on Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the era of COVID-19 and beyond, New York, USA
- 30 Sep: President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the virtual Summit on Biodiversity on the sidelines of the 75th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA75), New York, USA
- 30 Sep: The Summit on Biodiversity, New York, USA
- 26 Sep: World Environmental Health Day
- 28 Sep: World Rabies Day
- 30 Sep: Media Briefing on the easing of international travel restrictions, Pretoria, South Africa
- 30 Sep: International Translations Day
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October
2020
- October: Marine Month (South Africa)
- October: Mental Awareness Month (South Africa)
- October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month (South Africa)
- October: Transport Month (South Africa)
- October: Social Development Month (South Africa)
- 1 Oct: High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, New York, USA
- 1 Oct: International Day of Older Persons
- 2 Oct: High-level Meeting to commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, New York, USA
- 6 Oct: Sixth Virtual Meeting of the African Union (AU) Bureau of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, Pretoria, South Africa
- 9 Oct: Ministerial Meeting of the NAM on the sidelines of UNGA75 under the theme: “Bandung+65: more relevant, united and effective NAM against emerging global challenges, including COVID-19”, New York, USA
- 5 Oct: World Habitat Day
- 10 Oct: World Sight Day
- 10 Oct: World Mental Health Day
- 10 Oct: World Hospice and Palliative Care Day
- 11 Oct: International Day of the Girl Child
- 12 Oct: World Arthritis Day
- 13-14 Oct: 37th Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU), Pretoria, South Africa
- 14 Oct: Virtual Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM), Pretoria, South Africa
- 15 Oct: International Day of Rural Women
- 15 Oct: Global Handwashing Day
- 16 Oct: World Food Day
- 16 Oct: World Spine Day
- 17 Oct: World Trauma Day
- 17 Oct: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
- 19 Oct: Minister Naledi Pandor hands over Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to schools in the Stellenbosch region, Western Cape Province, South Africa - Media Invite
- 20 Oct: World Osteoporosis Day
- 22 Oct: President Cyril Ramaphosa chairs the Second Mid-Year Coordination Meeting between the African Union (AU), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Mechanisms (RMs) and Member States, Pretoria, South Africa
- 24 Oct: United Nations (UN) Day
- 27 Oct: Virtual Ministerial Meeting of the Negotiating Parties of the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Pretoria, South Africa
- 27 Oct: Virtual Global Cyber Policy Dialogue for Southern Africa co-hosted by South Africa and the Netherlands, Pretoria, South Africa
- 27 Oct: Newsroom World Day for Audiovisual Heritage
- 28 Oct-3 Nov: World Stroke Awareness Week
- 30 Oct: Minister Naledi Pandor leads a webinar commemorating the 75th anniversary of United Nations (UN) Day, Pretoria, South Africa
- 31 Oct: World Cities Day
Top
November
2020
- 3 Nov Bilateral Meeting between South Africa and France, Pretoria, South Africa
- 3 Nov-3 Dec: Disability Rights Awareness Month (South Africa)
- 6 Nov: SADC Malaria Day
- 6 Nov: International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict
- 10 Nov: Virtual High-Level Meeting, under the theme: “Reinforcing multilateralism, together building on the United Nations 75th Anniversary Declaration”, Madrid, Spain
- 10 Nov: South Africa's accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation with South East Asian nations, Cape Town, South Africa
- 10 Nov: Political Consultations between South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Cape Town, South Africa
- 10-12 Nov: African Forum on Women Peace and Security, Cape Town, South Africa
- 11 Nov: Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on progress in the national effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, Union Buildings, Pretoria, South Africa
- 13 Nov: Working Visit by the President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, to Pretoria, South Africa
- 14 Nov: World Diabetes Day
- 17 Nov: XII BRICS Virtual Summit 2020, Russia
- 17 Nov: World Remembrance Day for Victims of Road Accidents
- 17-18 Nov: Third South Africa Investment Conference, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa
- 19 Nov: President Cyril Ramaphosa receives Letters of Credence from Ambassadors- and High Commissioners-Designate, Pretoria, South Africa
- 20 Nov: South Africa – Lesotho Joint Bilateral Commission of Cooperation (JBCC) Ministerial Meeting, Maseru, Kingdom of Lesotho
- 20 Nov: Webinar on the importance of Cultural Diplomacy in SADC Integration, Pretoria, South Africa
- 20 Nov: Universal Children's Day
- 20 Nov: Africa Industrialisation Day
- 21 Nov: World Fisheries Day
- 24 Nov: Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extraordinary Troika Summit of the Organ, Gaborone, Botswana
- 25 Nov: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
- 25 Nov-10 Dec: 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children
- 29 Nov: International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People – Media statement
- 30 Nov: Minister Naledi Pandor addresses the Virtual Meeting on: “Violence and Harassment in the World of Work”, Pretoria, South Africa
- 30 Nov: Commemoration of the annual United Nations (UN) International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Pretoria, South Africa
Top
December
2020
- 1 Dec: Virtual Lecture by Minister Naledi Pandor on the “BRICS Approach to the Post-COVID-19 Recovery”, Pretoria, South Africa
- 1 Dec: Virtual Meeting between Deputy Minister Alvin Botes and the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Portugal, Ms Teresa Ribeiro, Pretoria, South Africa
- 1 Dec: World AIDS Day
- 2 Dec: 21st Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU), Pretoria, South Africa
- 2 Dec: International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
- 3 Dec: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- 3 Dec: Virtual Debate on Security Sector Governance and Reform, New York, USA
- 4 Dec: Virtual Debate on African Union (AU) – United Nations (UN) cooperation, New York, USA
- 4 Dec: Virtual Dialogue on Gender-Based Violence (GEF – Action Coalition) Webinar, Pretoria, South Africa
- 5 Dec: Virtual Meeting of the 13th Extra-Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) on the AfCFTA, Pretoria, South Africa
- 5 Dec: International Volunteers Day
- 7 Dec: International Civil Aviation Day
- 9 Dec: International Anti-Corruption Day
- 10 Dec: International Human Rights Day
- 12 Dec: South Africa – Japan Bilateral Talks, Pretoria, South Africa
- 12 Dec: Universal Health Coverage Day
- 14 Dec: Southern African Development Community (SADC) Consultation Meeting, Maputo, Mozambique
- 14 Dec: Minister Naledi Pandor hosts a Media Briefing on International Relations and Cooperation in 2020, Pretoria, South Africa
- 14 Dec: Working Visit by Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, for a Bilateral Meeting, Pretoria, South Africa
- 16 Dec: Day of Reconciliation (South Africa)
- 17 Dec: 20th Meeting of the Council of Ministers (COM) of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Pretoria, South Africa
- 17 Dec: Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Declaration on Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, New York, USA
- 18 Dec: Virtual Bilateral Meeting between Minister Naledi Pandor and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Mr Ernesto Araújo, Pretoria, South Africa
- 18 Dec: International Migrants Day
- 19 Dec: Working Visit by the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mr Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, Pretoria, South Africa
- 20 Dec: International Human Solidarity Day
- 25 Dec: Christmas Day
- 26 Dec: Day
of Goodwill
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