South Africa loses two public holidays in 2026

In 2026, South Africans will get 10 days off for public holidays, instead of 12, as two of those days fall on Saturdays. 

While a public holiday that falls on a weekday is automatically a holiday, the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994 states that rules change for public holidays that fall on a weekend. 

If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. This year, for example, Women’s Day, celebrated on August 9, falls on a Sunday and will be observed on Monday, August 10.

However, when a public holiday falls on a Saturday, South Africans do not receive any days off work. 

Those who work on Saturdays will still benefit from two public holidays this year, while the rest of the population continues as normal. 

For 2026, Human Rights Day, which is on March 21, falls on a Saturday, and so does the Day of Goodwill on December 26. 

The country observes the usual public holidays, such as Easter, Christmas on 25 December 2026, and International Workers’ Day on 1 May 2026.

The dates on which Good Friday and Easter Sunday fall are determined according to the ecclesiastical moon.

“The exact date varies each year, but they fall between late March and late April,” the government website explains. Next year, Easter falls between 3 and 6 April.

Then, there are country-specific public holidays, including Freedom Day, Human Rights Day, Heritage Day, Day of Reconciliation, Youth Day, Family Day, and National Women’s Day.

The table below shows the public holidays that will be observed in South Africa in 2026:

Despite having fewer days off than usual, Flight Centre has released a 2026 holiday calendar guide to help South Africans decide when to take leave to maximise vacation time. 

Flight Centre advises that employees should take leave on April 1 and 2 in order to get a 6-day long weekend, as Friday, April 3, and Monday, April 6, are both public holidays. 

At the end of April, South Africans are advised to take off April 28 to April 30 to get a 9-day break for three days leave, as Monday, April 27 and Friday, May 1, are both public holidays. 

Furthermore, taking leave on Friday, September 25, and Monday, September 28, will allow for a five-day-long break, as Thursday, September 24, is a public holiday