Wherever you’re living in South Africa, it’s crucial to note the country’s holidays. This is because many public institutions and companies are closed on these days.
Here’s an overview of South Africa’s most important national public holidays:
South African public holidays: an overview
Public holidays in South Africa are generally referred to as bank holidays. There are 12 annual South African bank holidays as determined by the Public Holidays Act. When holidays in South Africa fall on a Sunday, the following Monday is typically given as a public holiday.
Here is a list of public holidays in South Africa in 2024 and 2025, as well as other important South African holidays.
South African public holidays during 2024
Date | Public holiday |
1 January (Monday) | New Year’s Day |
21 March (Thursday) | Human Rights Day |
29 March (Friday) | Good Friday |
1 April (Monday) | Family Day |
27 April (Saturday) | Freedom Day |
1 May (Wednesday) | Workers’ Day |
29 May (Wednesday) | Public holiday (General Elections) |
17 June (Sunday) | Youth Day holiday |
9 August (Friday) | National Women’s Day |
24 September (Tuesday) | Heritage Day |
16 December (Monday) | Day of Reconciliation |
25 December (Wednesday) | Christmas Day |
26 December (Thursday) | Day of Goodwill |
Important dates in South Africa during 2024
Date | Important dates |
9 May (Thursday) | Ascension Day |
12 May (Sunday) | Mother’s Day |
19 May (Sunday) | Pentecost |
16 June (Sunday) | Father’s Day |
18 July (Thursday) | Nelson Mandela Day – events run throughout July |
1 November (Friday) | All Saints’ Day |
31 December (Tuesday) | New Year’s Eve |
South African public holidays during 2025
Date | Public holiday |
1 January (Wednesday) | New Year’s Day |
21 March (Friday) | Human Rights Day |
18 April (Friday) | Good Friday |
21 April (Monday) | Family Day |
27 April (Sunday) | Freedom Day |
1 May (Thursday) | Workers’ Day |
7 May (Wednesday) | Public holiday (General Elections) |
16 June (Monday) | Youth Day holiday |
9 August (Saturday) | National Women’s Day |
24 September (Wednesday) | Heritage Day |
16 December (Tuesday) | Day of Reconciliation |
25 December (Thursday) | Christmas Day |
26 December (Friday) | Day of Goodwill |
Important dates in South Africa during 2025
Date | Important dates |
29 May (Thursday) | Ascension Day |
11 May (Sunday) | Mother’s Day |
8 June (Sunday) | Pentecost |
15 June (Sunday) | Father’s Day |
18 July (Friday) | Nelson Mandela Day – events run throughout July |
1 November (Saturday) | All Saints’ Day |
31 December (Wednesday) | New Year’s Eve |
Keep in mind that there are no daylight saving time changes in South Africa. Unlike other countries, the clock remains the same throughout the year.
South African school holidays
Wondering when your children will have time off school so you can plan a holiday with them? Read more about school holidays in South Africa.