Holidays in South Africa

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This is an overview of the national holidays in South Africa . They are enshrined in the Public Holidays Act of 1994. Among other things, it stipulates that if a public holiday falls on a Sunday , the following Monday is a public holiday. In addition, additional public holidays can be set for one year by the President.

date designation description
January 1st New Year's Day
(New Year) 		New Year
March 21st Human Rights Day
(Human Rights Day) 		Remembrance day of the Sharpeville massacre on March 21, 1960 (also called Sharpeville Day ), see also International Day Against Racism
Friday before Easter Sunday Good Friday
("Good Friday") 		Good Friday
Monday after Easter Sunday Family Day
(family day) 		Easter Monday
April 27 Freedom Day
(Day of Freedom) 		Commemoration day of the first free election in South Africa on April 27, 1994
1st of May Workers' Day
(Day of Workers) 		Labor Day
June 16 Youth Day
(youth day) 		Memorial Day for the Soweto Uprising on June 16, 1976 (also known as Soweto Day )
August 9 National Women's Day
(National Women's Day) 		Remembrance day of the march of South African women to the Union Buildings on August 9, 1956 to demonstrate against the passport laws
September 24th Heritage Day
(day of the [cultural] heritage) 		Day to reflect on the culture of the rainbow nation South Africa
December 16 Day of Reconciliation
(Atonement) 		Day to Promote Reconciliation and National Unity
Originally December 16 was the Day of the Vow ("Day of the Oath ") to commemorate the victory of the Voortrekkers over the Zulu king Dingane on December 16, 1838 ( Battle of the Blood River ).
25 December Christmas Day
(Christmas Day) 		Christmas
December 26th Day of Goodwill
(day of benevolence) 		Christmas Day

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