Last reviewed: August 26, 2026 · Holiday data: May 19, 2026
South Africa observes 12 public holidays in 2024. 11 fall on a weekday and 1 land on a weekend, leaving 251 working days across the year on the national-only count.
2024 public holidays calendar
Date
Day
Holiday
Notes
Jan 1
Monday
New Year's Day
New Year's Day on Monday January 1 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Mar 21
Thursday
Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day on Thursday March 21 is a strong bridge-day candidate; many employers grant the Friday as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
Mar 29
Friday
Good Friday
Good Friday on Friday March 29 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Apr 1
Monday
Family Day
Family Day on Monday April 1 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Apr 27
Saturday (weekend)
Freedom Day
Freedom Day on a Saturday (April 27) is absorbed into the weekend; the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994 only shifts Sunday-falling holidays.
May 1
Wednesday
Workers' Day
Workers' Day on Wednesday May 1 breaks the working week without an obvious adjacent-weekend bridge opportunity.
Jun 17
Monday
Youth Day (observed)
Youth Day (observed) on Monday June 17 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Aug 9
Friday
National Women's Day
National Women's Day on Friday August 9 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Sep 24
Tuesday
Heritage Day
Heritage Day on Tuesday September 24 is a bridge-day candidate; the Monday is sometimes granted as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
Dec 16
Monday
Day of Reconciliation
Day of Reconciliation on Monday December 16 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Dec 25
Wednesday
Christmas Day
Christmas Day on Wednesday December 25 breaks the working week without an obvious adjacent-weekend bridge opportunity.
Dec 26
Thursday
Day of Goodwill
Day of Goodwill on Thursday December 26 is a strong bridge-day candidate; many employers grant the Friday as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
2024 year summary
Total days
366
Weekend days
104
Public holidays on weekdays
11
Working days
251
The 1 weekend-falling public holidays in 2024 are absorbed into the regular Saturday and Sunday count, so the working-day reduction comes only from the 11 weekday-falling entries. South Africa observes 12 public holidays under the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed under section 2 of the Act; Saturday-falling holidays are absorbed into the weekend without an in-lieu Monday.
Holidays not included
Religious observances such as Reformation Day, the Day of the Vow (pre-1994 December 16 name now replaced by Day of Reconciliation), and minor church-tradition days are not in this set. The Public Service Act and Basic Conditions of Employment Act apply only to the 12 statutory holidays. School holidays vary by province and term schedule and are excluded. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) follows the same observance schedule as the SARB.
How many public holidays does South Africa have in 2024?
South Africa observes 12 public holidays in 2024. Of those, 11 fall on a weekday and 1 land on a weekend. The complete list with dates and weekday placements is in the calendar table above.
How many working days does South Africa have in 2024?
South Africa has 251 working days in 2024 on the national-only count, after subtracting 104 weekend days and 11 weekday-falling public holidays. Regional or industry-specific holidays may further reduce the count for narrower contract definitions.
Which 2024 public holiday dates fall on a weekday?
11 of South Africa's 12 public holidays in 2024 fall on a weekday and reduce the working days count: New Year's Day (Monday, January 1); Human Rights Day (Thursday, March 21); Good Friday (Friday, March 29); Family Day (Monday, April 1); Workers' Day (Wednesday, May 1); Youth Day (observed) (Monday, June 17); National Women's Day (Friday, August 9); Heritage Day (Tuesday, September 24); Day of Reconciliation (Monday, December 16); Christmas Day (Wednesday, December 25); Day of Goodwill (Thursday, December 26).
Which 2024 holidays fall on a weekend and how are they handled?
1 public holidays in 2024 fall on a weekend: Freedom Day on Saturday, April 27. Sunday-falling South African holidays trigger an in-lieu Monday under section 2 of the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994; Saturday-falling holidays are absorbed into the weekend without an in-lieu Monday.