Last reviewed: August 26, 2026 · Holiday data: May 19, 2026
South Africa observes 12 public holidays in 2028. 10 fall on a weekday and 2 land on a weekend, leaving 250 working days across the year on the national-only count.
2028 public holidays calendar
Date
Day
Holiday
Notes
Jan 1
Saturday (weekend)
New Year's Day
New Year's Day on a Saturday (January 1) is absorbed into the weekend; the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994 only shifts Sunday-falling holidays.
Mar 21
Tuesday
Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day on Tuesday March 21 is a bridge-day candidate; the Monday is sometimes granted as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
Apr 14
Friday
Good Friday
Good Friday on Friday April 14 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Apr 17
Monday
Family Day
Family Day on Monday April 17 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Apr 27
Thursday
Freedom Day
Freedom Day on Thursday April 27 is a strong bridge-day candidate; many employers grant the Friday as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
May 1
Monday
Workers' Day
Workers' Day on Monday May 1 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Jun 16
Friday
Youth Day
Youth Day on Friday June 16 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Aug 9
Wednesday
National Women's Day
National Women's Day on Wednesday August 9 breaks the working week without an obvious adjacent-weekend bridge opportunity.
Sep 25
Monday
Heritage Day (observed)
Heritage Day (observed) on Monday September 25 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Dec 16
Saturday (weekend)
Day of Reconciliation
Day of Reconciliation on a Saturday (December 16) is absorbed into the weekend; the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994 only shifts Sunday-falling holidays.
Dec 25
Monday
Christmas Day
Christmas Day on Monday December 25 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Dec 26
Tuesday
Day of Goodwill
Day of Goodwill on Tuesday December 26 is a bridge-day candidate; the Monday is sometimes granted as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
2028 year summary
Total days
366
Weekend days
106
Public holidays on weekdays
10
Working days
250
The 2 weekend-falling public holidays in 2028 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 2028?
South Africa observes 12 public holidays in 2028. 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 2028?
South Africa has 250 working days in 2028 on the national-only count, after subtracting 106 weekend days and 10 weekday-falling public holidays. Regional or industry-specific holidays may further reduce the count for narrower contract definitions.
Which 2028 public holiday dates fall on a weekday?
10 of South Africa's 12 public holidays in 2028 fall on a weekday and reduce the working days count: Human Rights Day (Tuesday, March 21); Good Friday (Friday, April 14); Family Day (Monday, April 17); Freedom Day (Thursday, April 27); Workers' Day (Monday, May 1); Youth Day (Friday, June 16); National Women's Day (Wednesday, August 9); Heritage Day (observed) (Monday, September 25); Christmas Day (Monday, December 25); Day of Goodwill (Tuesday, December 26).
Which 2028 holidays fall on a weekend and how are they handled?
2 public holidays in 2028 fall on a weekend: New Year's Day on Saturday, January 1; Day of Reconciliation on Saturday, December 16. 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.