Worlddata.info
Public Holidays

Public holidays in South Africa

South Africa is traditionally a country with many ethnic groups and religions. A clear influence of the Christian church on the holiday calendar cannot be denied to South Africans. This influence remains within quite narrow limits. More important here are the historical commemoration days of the country's history. Overall, South Africa is considered a country with a particularly high number of work-free days.

If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes a work-free day. Therefore, Easter Sunday and Whit Sunday, for example, are not public holidays.


Back to overview: South Africa

Non-movable holidays

Non-statutory holidays are written in gray.

DateholidayLocal name
Jan. 1stNew Year's DayNew Year's Day
March 21stHuman Rights DayHuman Rights Day
April 6thMemorial day of Van Riebeeck's arrival 1652Founders Day
April 27thDay of FreedomFreedom Day
May 1stLabor DayWorkers’ Day
June 16thYouth's DayYouth Day
Aug. 9thWomen's DayNational Women’s Day
Sept. 24thRainbow Nation Culture Day South AfricaHeritage Day
Oct. 10thMemorial Day Paul KrugerHeroes' Day
Dec. 16thDay of AtonementDay of Reconciliation
Dec. 24thChristmas EveChristmas Eve
Dec. 25thChristmas DayChristmas Day
Dec. 26thBoxing DayDay of Goodwill
Dec. 31stNew Year's EveNew Year's Eve



Moving Holidays in South Africa

holidayLocal name20222023202420252026
Good FridayGood FridayApril 15thApril 7thMarch 29thApril 18thApril 3rd
Easter SundayEaster SundayApril 17thApril 9thMarch 31stApril 20thApril 5th
Easter MondayFamily DayApril 18thApril 10thApril 1stApril 21stApril 6th
Mother's DayMother's DayMay 8thMay 14thMay 12thMay 11thMay 10th
Ascension of ChristAscension DayMay 26thMay 18thMay 9thMay 29thMay 14th
Whit SundayPentecostJune 5thMay 28thMay 19thJune 8thMay 24th

South Africa: TourismDevelopment and importance of tourism for South AfricaInternational travelers and tourism sector revenues from 1995-2020 in South Africa, including comparison with other countries in Southern Africa
South Africa: Sunrise + sunsetTimes for sunrise and sunset in South AfricaTimes of sunrise and sunset for the most important cities in South Africa and the avg. length of daylight per month
Canada: Public HolidaysPublic holidays in Canada 2022-2026Statutory and inofficial holidays in Canada for 2022 to 2026