There are 12 public holidays in South Africa, as prescribed by the Public Holidays Act. This is important to note if you are living in South Africa or if you do any business with partners in South Africa.
Many businesses typically close on public holidays, and if open, they usually operate for reduced hours. The public Holidays Act also prescribes that if a public holiday falls on a Sunday, that holiday will be observed on the following day (Monday).
Here is the list of public holidays for the year 2019.
Public Holidays in South Africa (2019)
Tuesday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
Thursday, 21 March: Human Rights Day
Friday, 19 April: Good Friday
Monday, 22 April: Family Day
Saturday, 27 April: Freedom Day
Wednesday, 1 May: Workers Day
Sunday, 16 June: Youth Day – observed on Monday, 17 June
Friday, 9 August: National Women’s Day
Tuesday, 24 September: Heritage Day
Monday, 16 December: Day of Reconciliation
Wednesday, 25 December: Christmas Day
Thursday, 26 December: Day of Goodwill
Sometimes you might want to plan your holidays far in advance, or you want to know on what day of the week New Year’s Day will fall. We have also listed the public holidays for 2020,
Public Holidays for 2020
Wednesday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
Saturday, 21 March: Human Rights Day
Friday, 10 April: Good Friday
Monday, 13 April: Family Day
Monday, 27 April: Freedom Day
Friday, 1 May: Workers’ Day
Tuesday, 16 June: Youth Day
Sunday, 9 August: National Women’s Day
Monday, 10 August: Public holiday (Women’s Day observed)
Thursday, 24 September: Heritage Day
Wednesday, 16 December: Day of Reconciliation
Friday, 25 December: Christmas Day
Saturday, 26 December: Day of Goodwill