2020 in South Africa
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Events in the year 2020 in South Africa.
Incumbents
- President: Cyril Ramaphosa (ANC)
- Deputy President: David Mabuza (ANC)
- Chief Justice: Mogoeng Mogoeng
- Deputy Chief Justice: Raymond Zondo
- President of the Supreme Court of Appeal: Mandisa Maya
- Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal: Xola Petse
- Chairperson of the Electoral Court of South Africa: Khayelihle Kenneth Mthiyane
- Speaker of the National Assembly: Thandi Modise (ANC)
- Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly: Lechesa Tsenoli (ANC)
- Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly: John Steenhuisen (DA)
- Leader of Government Business: David Mabuza (ANC)
- Government Chief Whip (of the National Assembly): Pemmy Majodina (ANC)
- Opposition Chief Whip (of the National Assembly): Natasha Mazzone (DA)
- Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces: Amos Masondo (ANC)
- Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces: Sylvia Lucas (ANC)
- Leader of the Opposition of the National Council of Provinces: Cathlene Labuschagne (DA)
- Chief Whip of the National Council of Provinces: Seiso Mohai (ANC)
Events
- 3 February – A court issues an arrest warrant for former president Jacob Zuma on corruption charges. Zuma, 77, is presumed to be in Cuba for medical treatment, but it is unclear when or if he will return to South Africa since the two countries have not signed an extradition treaty. The case will resume on May 6.[1]
- 5 February – German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives in South Africa to discuss trade, investment, and energy issues.[2]
- 11 February – Former U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden says he and then U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young were arrested in Soweto when they tried to visit Nelson Mandela on Robben Island in 1977.[3] Young says he was not arrested in South Africa and doubts Biden was.[4]
- 19 February – Speaking from Addis Ababa, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asserts that land distribution without compensation would be disastrous for South Africa and its people.[5]
- 21 February – Sixteen children in Zola, Soweto, are hospitalized for eating expired sweets. 39 pupils were hospitalized earlier in the week.[6]
- 5 March - The COVID-19 pandemic spread to South Africa, with the first confirmed case announced on 5 March 2020 by Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize.[7]
- 21 March – Human Rights Day in South Africa
- 18 April – President Cyril Ramaphosa announces that lockdown restrictions will be gradually eased. Mines can resume work at 50% capacity and the economy is expected to contract by 6.1% this year.[8]
- 19 April – South African Airways plans to fire all 4,700 employees at the end of April after failing to get any more government subsidies.[9]
- 23 April – President Ramaphosa's efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic receive praise. South Africa has confirmed 3,953 cases and 75 deaths so far. The government has earmarked 500 billion rand ($26.16 billion), or 10% of national output, to fight the virus, keep businesses afloat and prevent the poor—who make up half the population—from going hungry.[10] South Africa has tested 140,000 people, with nearly 4,000 positive cases and 75 deaths.[11]
- 26 April
- 27 April – Freedom Day (majority rule)
- 1 May - South Africa now enters Level 4 of the national lockdown to ensure the economy can gradually reopen with some easing on other restrictions.[14]
Scheduled events
- 1 May –International Workers' Day
- 25 May – Africa Day
- 16 June – Youth Day
- 9 August – National Women's Day (South Africa)
- 24 September – Heritage Day (South Africa)
- 16 December – Day of Reconciliation
- 26 December – Day of Goodwill
Sports
- 29 November 2019 to 1 February 2020 – 2019–20 CAF Champions League group stage
- 1 December 2019 to 2 February 2020 – 2019–20 CAF Confederation Cup group stage
- 17 January to 9 February – 2020 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup
- 20 to 23 April 2020 – 2020 IIHF World Championship Division III, Cape Town
- May TBA – Finals of 2020 African U-17 Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament Began January 2020
- 21 June – Finals of 2020 African U-20 Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament
- 8 August to 27 September – 2020 Rugby Championship, featuring Argentina, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
- 5 October to 12 October – 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification — CAF Second Round
- 13 October – 2020 MEA Rugby League Championship, Pretoria
Television
- 14 March – Scheduled date for the 2020 DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards
Deaths
- 6 January – Richard Maponya, 99, entrepreneur and property developer (b. 1920).[15]
- 18 January – Peter Mathebula, WBA flyweight champion boxer (b. 1952).[16]
- 20 January – Bicks Ndoni, politician (b. 1958).[17]
- 26 January – Santu Mofokeng, 64, South African photographer, progressive supranuclear palsy.[18]
- 7 February – Harold Strachan, 94, South African writer and anti-apartheid activist.[19]
- 11 February – Joseph Shabalala, 78, founder of Ladysmith Black Mambazo[20]
- 20 February – Zoe Gail, 100, South African-born British singer and actress (No Orchids for Miss Blandish).[21]
- 26 February – Clinton Marius, 53, writer and performer.[22]
- 21 March – Sol Kerzner, 84, hotelier, founder of Southern Sun Hotel Group and Sun International, cancer.[23]
- 25 March – Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa, 98, South African traditional healer and conspiracy theorist.[24]
- 31 March – Gita Ramjee, 63, HIV prevention researcher; COVID-19.[25]
- 3 April – Constand Viljoen, 86, military officer and politician, MP (1994–2001).[26]
- 17 April – Allan Heyl, bank robber (Stander Gang)[27]
- 29 April – Denis Goldberg, 87, South African lawyer and political activist (Rivonia Trial), lung cancer.[28]
See also
Wikinews has related news:
Country overviews
Related timelines for current period
References
- ^ South African court issues arrest warrant for ex-leader Zuma By CARA ANNA and MOGOMOTSI MAGOME Associated Press, ABC News, 4 Feb 2020
- ^ Germany's Merkel arriving in South Africa to talk trade By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME, Associated Press/ABC News, 5 Feb 2020
- ^ Joe Biden Says He Was Arrested In South Africa Decades Ago By Sarah Ruiz-Grossman, Huff Post Politics, 21 Feb 2020
- ^ US politician Joe Biden recalls being arrested in SA for trying to see Nelson Mandela Cheryl Kahla, The South African, 2020-02-22
- ^ Elias Meseret (February 19, 2020). "Pompeo says South Africa land seizures would be 'disastrous'". AP.
- ^ More Soweto learners hospitalized after eating dodgy sweets James Richardson, The South African, 2020-02-22
- ^ Coronavirus: Here’s how to track the spread of the disease Cheryl Kahla, The South African, 2020-03-05
- ^ "South Africa to Gradually Ease Regulations After Lockdown". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved Apr 19, 2020.
- ^ "South African Airways Nears Collapse With Plan to Fire All Staff". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved Apr 19, 2020.
- ^ "South Africa's COVID-19 crisis strengthens Ramaphosa's economic reform hand". Reuters. 23 April 2020. Retrieved Apr 23, 2020.
- ^ News, A. B. C. "Africa's 43% jump in virus cases in 1 week worries experts". ABC News. Retrieved Apr 24, 2020.
{{cite web}}:|last1=has generic name (help) - ^ "Coronavirus: Cuban doctors go to South Africa". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved Apr 26, 2020.
- ^ "SAfrica minister apologises for police officer's anti-Muslim rant". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved Apr 26, 2020.
- ^ These fast food outlets will be delivering during Level 4 lockdown Cheryl Kahla, The South African, 2020-04-30
- ^ "South African Business Mogul Richard Maponya Dies At 99". iharare.com. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- ^ "SA's first black world boxing champion Peter Mathebula has died". dispatchlive.co.za. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- ^ "Former U'hage mayor Bicks Ndoni dies". news24.com. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- ^ Santu Mofokeng, Photographer Who Elegantly Immortalized Lives of Black South Africans, Is Dead at 64
- ^ Umkhonto we Sizwe's first explosives whizz Harold Strachan dies
- ^ Joseph Shabalala, Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder dies at 78 CNN World, 11 Feb 2020
- ^ Zoe Gail, singer who switched on the lights in Piccadilly after the wartime blackout – obituary (subscription required)
- ^ Maritzburg-born playwright and actor dies suddenly
- ^ Sol Kerzner dies after struggle with cancer
- ^ Credo Mutwa passes on at 98 years old
- ^ JUST IN: Renowned SA scientist Gita Ramjee dies of complications due to Covid-19
- ^ General Constand Viljoen, former SADF commander and political leader, dies at 86
- ^ Last surviving member of notorious Stander Gang dies
- ^ ANC Stalwart Denis Goldberg Passes Away at 87
