The week ahead: More anti-immigrant rumbles

South Africa may have emerged largely unscathed from the June 30 anti-immigration protests, but the issue is far from done. March and March has vowed to protest every Thursday for at least six months – or until its demands are met. Here’s what else is on the cards this week.

Politics

SAHRC investigation into food access and affordability

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will convene the second leg of the national investigative hearing into food systems of South Africa from Monday to Friday. The hearing was initiated in response to complaints about the lack of access to food and is grounded in section 27(1)(b) of the constitution, which guarantees the right to have access to sufficient food.

The SAHRC plans to hold further hearings and receive evidence from private sector stakeholders across the food value chain.

Ramaphosa’s working visit to France

President Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake a working visit to France from Friday to Sunday. He has been invited by UN agency Unesco to co-chair its high-level steering committee on the sustainable development goal on education.

He will also attend the 110^th commemoration of the Battle of Delville Wood, which honours South African soldiers who lost their lives during World War I. The commemoration will include a wreath-laying ceremony and the unveiling of a Unesco plaque.

Anti-immigration protests

Following the nationwide protests last week, anti-immigration efforts will continue this week. March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma indicated that the movement will hold protests every Thursday for the next six months until its demands are met. It is unclear at this stage whether any protests will be scheduled for Thursday.

Parliamentary work

Though parliament is officially in recess, the portfolio committee on communications and digital technologies will attend as honorary guests the National Summit on the Future of Broadcasting in South Africa, which will be held in Sandton on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Economics

Foreign exchange reserves (June 2026)

The value of South Africa’s foreign exchange reserves peaked in February at $81.1bn and declined steadily over the next three months to $76.6bn. Almost all of these changes can be attributed to fluctuations in the dollar price of gold. Accordingly, the value of South Africa’s reserves should decline by a few hundred million dollars in June.

Manufacturing production and sales (May 2026)

Manufacturing output in April declined year on year by 2.9%, the largest drop in a year. May’s year-on-year output is forecast to contract further, though to a smaller degree. Any contraction smaller than -1.5% would be seen as positive compared with the May manufacturing PMI numbers.

This article is published courtesy of The South Africa Brief, a political newsletter published on Substack which is a collaboration between Paul Berkowitz and Jonathan Moakes. It provides analysis and insight into the new, uncertain era of South African politics heralded by the 2024 general election. Including a specific focus on municipal politics, it will provide full analysis in the run-up to this year’s municipal polls. 

_{Top image collage: Rawpixel; Currency.}