South Africa Public & National Holidays (2026)

The southernmost country in Africa, South Africa boasts 1.22 million km² of land area, while the population is estimated at 58,558,270. The country is renowned for its cultural diversity and great natural beauty that contributes to the fact that it is a favored destination for tourists.

South Africa is home to the famous flat-topped mountain known as Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope and the Boulders Beach, home to a colony of African Penguins that have been there since 1985.

Public holidays in South Africa consist of religious and national holidays observed by South Africans across the country.

When are public holidays in South Africa?

What are the public holidays in South Africa?

New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day is a public holiday in South Africa that commemorates the start of a brand new year, according to the Gregorian calendar.

Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day is a national holiday in South Africa that commemorates the establishment of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The SAHRC’s aim is to promote respect for human rights, promote protection, development, and attainment of human rights, and to monitor the observance of human rights in the country.

Good Friday
Good Friday is observed by many Christians in South Africa and commemorates the death and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Family Day
Referred to as “Family Day” in South Africa, Easter Monday is celebrated by Christians on the day after Easter Sunday. This day was renamed to “Family Day” in 1995.

Freedom Day
Freedom Day is a South African public holiday that celebrated freedom and commemorates the first democratic post-apartheid non-racial elections held in 1994, and the day Nelson Mandela was elected as president.

Worker’s Day
Worker’s Day, also known as Labor Day, is a public holiday in South Africa that celebrates the role of Trade Unions and other labor movements in the struggle against Apartheid.

Youth Day
Youth Day in South Africa marks the start of the Soweto Riots of 1976. On June 16, 1976, almost 30,000 students from Soweto took part in a protest march to protest the education system in the country in that year.

National Women’s Day
National Women’s Day in South Africa is a public holiday that commemorates the national march of women on this day in 1956 to petition against legislation that required African persons to carry the ‘pass’. The pass was an identification document that restricted a black South African’s freedom of movement under apartheid.

Heritage Day
Heritage Day is a public holiday in South Africa that is dedicated to celebrating the heritage of the country, the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, and to remember their struggles under Apartheid.

Day of Reconciliation
The Day of Reconciliation celebrates the end of apartheid and fosters reconciliation between different racial groups in the country.

Christmas Day
Christmas Day celebrates the nativity of Jesus Christ and is celebrated by Christians in South Africa.

Day of Goodwill
Also known as Boxing Day, this public holiday is celebrated the day after Christmas. It is said to signify the empty boxes from gifts received on Christmas Day.

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