2023 in South Africa

Events in the year 2023 in South Africa.

Incumbents President: Cyril Ramaphosa (ANC) Deputy President: David Mabuza (ANC) until 28 February Paul Mashatile (ANC) starting 7 March Chief Justice: Raymond Zondo Deputy Chief Justice: Mandisa Maya President of the Supreme Court of Appeal: Xola Petse (acting) Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal: Nambitha Dambuza (acting) Chairperson of the Electoral Court of South Africa: Boissie Henry Mbha Speaker of the National Assembly: Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula (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): Siviwe Gwarube (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)

Cabinet The Cabinet, together with the President and the Deputy President, forms the Executive.

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

Provincial Premiers

Eastern Cape Province: Oscar Mabuyane (ANC) Free State Province: Sisi Ntombela (ANC) Gauteng Province: Panyaza Lesufi (ANC) KwaZulu-Natal Province: Nomusa Dube-Ncube (ANC) Limpopo Province: Stanley Mathabatha (ANC) Mpumalanga Province: Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane (ANC) North West Province: Bushy Maape (ANC) Northern Cape Province: Zamani Saul (ANC) Western Cape Province: Alan Winde (DA)

Events

January 12 January – A truck crashes into several minibus taxis at an intersection in Roodepoort, Gauteng, killing five people and injuring nine others. 15 January – A light aircraft crashes in Nasrec, Johannesburg, South Africa, killing all three people on board. 27 January – South Africa agrees to send 12 cheetahs to India a year for the next 8 to 10 years to help establish a "viable and secure cheetah population" in the wild. The Asiatic cheetah became extinct in India in the 1940s due to hunting and habitat destruction. 29 January – Eight people are killed and three others are injured in a mass shooting at a birthday party in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.

February 5 February – South Africa reports imported cases of cholera in two sisters who travelled to Malawi. 14 February – Twenty people are killed and 68 others injured during a head-on collision between a tour bus and an armoured cash-in-transit van in Makhado, Limpopo.

March 20 March – South Africa prepares for a "nationwide shutdown" as the military is deployed ahead of protests by the Economic Freedom Fighters.

June 2 June – In February 2023, South Africa experienced a cholera outbreak that grew from 2 initial cases to 99 confirmed cases in Tshwane over the following months. Jubilee Hospital reported 17 deaths. Efforts to contain the outbreak led to a significant decrease in new cases by June 2023.

July 5 July – 2023 Boksburg gas leak – 17 people, including three children, died in a suspected gas leak in the Angelo informal settlement in Boksburg. According to emergency services, the leak appeared to be linked to illegal mining activities. 12 July – Six people were shot dead and four wounded in KwaNobuhle, Eastern Cape, after three men entered the yard of a home and opened fire. 19 July – Ramaphosa announces Russian president Vladimir Putin will not physically attend the BRICs summit next month. As a member of the International Criminal Court, South Africa is obligated to arrest Putin if he shows up. 20 July – A suspected underground gas explosion rips open roads and flips vehicles in Johannesburg, killing one and injuring at least 48.

August 31 August – A large building fire in the central business district of Johannesburg kills at least 73 people.

September 1 September – Eighteen people are killed during a shootout between robbers and police in Limpopo. 20 September – Three members of the South African Navy are killed and five others are rescued when large waves hit a submarine near Kommetjie, Western Cape.

October 28 October – 2023 Rugby World Cup: South Africa wins a record fourth Webb Ellis Cup after defeating New Zealand 12–11 in the final. 30 October – President Cyril Ramaphosa announces the 15th of December as a public holiday in celebration of the sports achievements (2023 Rugby World Cup:South Africa)

November 20 November – Israel recalls its ambassador from South Africa after Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni called on the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 27 November – Eleven workers are killed and 75 others are injured at an Impala platinum mine in Rustenburg, North West, when a lift transporting them to the surface drops approximately 200 metres (660 ft).

December 29 December – South Africa files the case South Africa v. Israel (Genocide Convention) against Israel at World Court. 30 December – Flash flooding kills 21 people in KwaZulu-Natal state.

Holidays

South Africa has 12 public holidays; if a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is celebrated the following Monday.

1 January – New Year's Day 21 March – Human Rights Day 27 April – Freedom Day (National day) 1 May - National Worker's Day 16 June – Youth Day 9 August – National Women's Day 24 September – Heritage Day 16 December - Reconciliation Day 25 December - Christmas Day 26 December - Day of Goodwill

Deaths January 8 January – Adriaan Vlok, 85, politician, minister of correctional services (1991–1994).

February 6 February – John Moeti, 55, South African footballer. 10 February – AKA, 35, South African rapper, drive-by shooting.

March 11 March – Costa Titch, 28, South African rapper. 25 March – Moosa Moolla, 88, Indian South African activist and diplomat.

May 14 May – Billy Masetlha, 68, South African intelligence officer.

June 5 June – Tina Joemat-Pettersson, 59, South African politician. 10 June – Clive Barker, 78, South African football coach.

July 6 July – Essop Pahad, 84, South African politician.

August 9 August – Doreen Mantle, 97, South African-born British actress (One Foot in the Grave, Jam & Jerusalem, Yentl). 22 August – Derek Watts, 74, South African investigative reporter and the presenter of Carte Blanche on M-Net, lung cancer.

September 9 September – Mangosuthu Buthelezi, 95, South African politician. 27 September – Aziz Pahad, 82, South African politician.

October

18 October – Mzwakhe Sibisi, 53, South African politician.

November 19 November – Hannes Strydom, 58, South African rugby union player.

December 11 December – Zahara, 36, South African singer and songwriter. 26 December – Alice Mthembu, 64, South African politician, car accident. 27 December – Mbongeni Ngema, 68, South African musician and playwright (Sarafina!, Woza Albert!), car accident.

2023 in South Africa

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