News

South Africans To Lose Two Public Holidays In 2026

Published

3 hours ago

September 23, 2025

Nikita

Source: Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

South Africans who love planning around long weekends may feel short-changed in 2026. Thanks to how the Public Holidays Act works, the country will “lose” two of its 12 annual public holidays, leaving workers with only 10 weekdays off.

How The Law Works

Under the Public Holidays Act of 1994, when a public holiday falls on a Sunday, it automatically rolls over to the Monday. But if it lands on a Saturday, it disappears for most people who don’t work weekends.

In 2026, Human Rights Day (21 March) and the Day of Goodwill (26 December) both fall on Saturdays. That means these two holidays will not give workers any additional time off.

There is a small consolation: National Women’s Day, which falls on Sunday, 9 August, will be observed on Monday, 10 August.

What This Means For Workers

Instead of the usual 11 or 12 days off, South Africans will only get 10 weekdays away from the office in 2026. For many, this could change how they plan their breaks, family gatherings, and even long-awaited trips.

Culturally, South Africans have always valued their public holidays. From the Easter weekend “family trek” to the coast, to September’s Heritage braais, these days are woven into the rhythm of the year. Losing two holidays feels more than just administrative it chips away at those collective moments of rest and celebration.

A Look Back And Ahead

This isn’t the first time South Africans have had fewer public holidays. It happens every few years when dates line up unfavorably with weekends. In 2024, for example, Freedom Day fell on a Saturday, meaning it too slipped away.

Still, many employers in South Africa already offer annual leave on top of public holidays, and savvy workers often use these days strategically to stretch out long weekends.