2025 Wrapped

2025 South Africa Wrapped-up

Madlanga Commission:

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, alongside a parliamentary ad hoc committee, began hearings into allegations of corruption, political interference and misconduct within the South African Police Service.

Criminal Trials:

The extradition of the Ndimande brothers, key developments in the long-running Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, and the sentencing of underworld figure Nafiz Modack kept South Africa’s criminal justice system firmly in the spotlight.

Eskom:

The state power utility Eskom reported a R16 billion profit after years of losses, as South Africa experienced its longest sustained period without load shedding in several years.

GNU Budget Crisis:

The National Budget was postponed three times in 2025 following internal disputes within the Government of National Unity, marking an unprecedented moment in democratic South Africa.

GBV National Disaster:

After sustained nationwide protests and mounting public pressure, the government formally declared gender-based violence and femicide a national disaster.

Extreme Weather:

Floods, storms and severe cold fronts caused deaths, widespread damage and displacement across KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, Gauteng and Mpumalanga.

High-Profile Deaths:

SA mourned the deaths of several prominent figures, including Presley Chweneyagae, Nathi Mthethwa, David Mabuza, Oupa Magashula, Crystal-Donna Roberts and DJ Warras.

G20:

South Africa successfully hosted the G20 Leaders’ Summit on African soil for the first time, placing the country at the centre of global economic and geopolitical discussions.

SA–US Fallout:

Relations between South Africa and the United States deteriorated sharply after Donald Trump threatened tariffs, boycotted the G20 Leaders’ Summit and moved to exclude South Africa from future proceedings.

GDP Growth:

South Africa recorded positive GDP growth in the second quarter of 2025, driven by manufacturing, mining and trade, while construction and transport continued to lag.

2025 South Africa Sport Wrapped-Up

Rugby Championship Title:

The Springboks claimed the Rugby Championship title in 2025, reaffirming their dominance in Southern Hemisphere rugby.

Diamond League Men’s 100m Victory:

Akani Simbine won the men’s 100m at a Diamond League meeting, continuing his strong run against the world’s fastest sprinters.

Proteas Men Victory:

The South Africa national cricket team secured a historic victory over Australia to win the 2025 ICC World Test Championship.

Proteas Women:

The South Africa women's national cricket team finished runners-up at the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, delivering one of the strongest performances in the team’s history.

World Para Athletics Championships:

South Africa enjoyed a successful campaign at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, winning four medals in total, including two gold and two bronze.

Surfing:

Jordy Smith claimed victory at the Margaret River Pro, moving into first place on the World Surf League Championship Tour at the mid-season mark.

Bafana Bafana:

Bafana Bafana qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking South Africa’s return to the global tournament for the first time since 2010.

Cape Town Marathon:

The 2025 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon was cancelled on race morning due to dangerously high winds, leaving thousands of runners suddenly sidelined after months of training.

Bok Women:

The South Africa women's national rugby team pushed defending champions New Zealand hard before losing 46–17 in a fiercely contested Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Exeter.

HSBC SVNS:

The South Africa national rugby sevens team successfully defended their HSBC SVNS Cape Town title in front of a home crowd in emphatic fashion.

2025 Global Wrapped-Up

US Foreign Policy Shift:

US President Donald Trump fundamentally reshaped US foreign policy by withdrawing from multilateral agreements, imposing sweeping tariffs and curtailing foreign aid.

China Rare-Earth Controls:

China weaponised its dominance of rare-earth minerals by restricting exports to the US forcing Washington to delay trade and technology restrictions and exposing deep supply-chain vulnerabilities.

Iran Nuclear Strikes:

Israel and the US carried out coordinated air and missile strikes on Iran’s nuclear and missile facilities during the twelve-day conflict known as the Twelve-Day War, sharply escalating regional tensions.

Ukraine War:

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine entered its fourth year, marked by intensified missile and drone attacks, limited territorial change and mounting pressure on Kyiv.

Gaza War and Peace Plan:

Israel’s war on Gaza continues, killing tens of thousands of Palestinians, and prompting US-led negotiations for a multi-phase ceasefire and reconstruction plan that remains fragile and contested.

Sudan Civil War:

Fighting between Sudan’s armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces persisted across multiple fronts, displacing more than twelve million people and pushing large parts of the country toward famine.

AI Power Race:

Competition between the United States and China over artificial intelligence intensified as breakthroughs, chip controls and regulatory reversals raised fears over economic disruption, job losses and national security.

India–Pakistan Conflict:

India and Pakistan engaged in serious military clashes following a terrorist attack in Kashmir.

New Pope Elected:

Cardinal Robert Prevost of the US was elected Pope Leo XIV following the death of Pope Francis, becoming the first American and Peruvian pope in the Catholic Church’s history.

Global Protests:

Large-scale demonstrations erupted worldwide over corruption, economic hardship and political repression, with Gen Z movements driving unrest across multiple continents.