Last reviewed: August 26, 2026 · Holiday data: May 19, 2026
South Africa observes 12 public holidays in 2027. 10 fall on a weekday and 2 land on a weekend, leaving 251 working days across the year on the national-only count.
2027 public holidays calendar
Date
Day
Holiday
Notes
Jan 1
Friday
New Year's Day
New Year's Day on Friday January 1 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Mar 22
Monday
Human Rights Day (observed)
Human Rights Day (observed) on Monday March 22 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Mar 26
Friday
Good Friday
Good Friday on Friday March 26 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Mar 29
Monday
Family Day
Family Day on Monday March 29 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Apr 27
Tuesday
Freedom Day
Freedom Day on Tuesday April 27 is a bridge-day candidate; the Monday is sometimes granted as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
May 1
Saturday (weekend)
Workers' Day
Workers' Day on a Saturday (May 1) is absorbed into the weekend; the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994 only shifts Sunday-falling holidays.
Jun 16
Wednesday
Youth Day
Youth Day on Wednesday June 16 breaks the working week without an obvious adjacent-weekend bridge opportunity.
Aug 9
Monday
National Women's Day
National Women's Day on Monday August 9 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Sep 24
Friday
Heritage Day
Heritage Day on Friday September 24 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Dec 16
Thursday
Day of Reconciliation
Day of Reconciliation on Thursday December 16 is a strong bridge-day candidate; many employers grant the Friday as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
Dec 25
Saturday (weekend)
Christmas Day
Christmas Day on a Saturday (December 25) is absorbed into the weekend; the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994 only shifts Sunday-falling holidays.
Dec 27
Monday
Day of Goodwill (observed)
Day of Goodwill (observed) on Monday December 27 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
2027 year summary
Total days
365
Weekend days
104
Public holidays on weekdays
10
Working days
251
The 2 weekend-falling public holidays in 2027 are absorbed into the regular Saturday and Sunday count, so the working-day reduction comes only from the 10 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 2027?
South Africa observes 12 public holidays in 2027. Of those, 10 fall on a weekday and 2 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 2027?
South Africa has 251 working days in 2027 on the national-only count, after subtracting 104 weekend days and 10 weekday-falling public holidays. Regional or industry-specific holidays may further reduce the count for narrower contract definitions.
Which 2027 public holiday dates fall on a weekday?
10 of South Africa's 12 public holidays in 2027 fall on a weekday and reduce the working days count: New Year's Day (Friday, January 1); Human Rights Day (observed) (Monday, March 22); Good Friday (Friday, March 26); Family Day (Monday, March 29); Freedom Day (Tuesday, April 27); Youth Day (Wednesday, June 16); National Women's Day (Monday, August 9); Heritage Day (Friday, September 24); Day of Reconciliation (Thursday, December 16); Day of Goodwill (observed) (Monday, December 27).
Which 2027 holidays fall on a weekend and how are they handled?
2 public holidays in 2027 fall on a weekend: Workers' Day on Saturday, May 1; Christmas Day on Saturday, December 25. 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.