South Africa Public Holidays 2025 — Complete List
Public Holidays: January to June 2025
New Year's Day — Wednesday, 1 January. Human Rights Day — Thursday, 21 March. Good Friday — Friday, 18 April. Family Day (Easter Monday) — Monday, 21 April. Freedom Day — Sunday, 27 April (Monday, 28 April observed). Workers Day — Thursday, 1 May. Youth Day — Monday, 16 June.
Public Holidays: August to December 2025
National Women's Day — Friday, 9 August. Heritage Day — Wednesday, 24 September. Day of Reconciliation — Monday, 16 December. Christmas Day — Thursday, 25 December. Day of Goodwill — Friday, 26 December.
What Happens When a Holiday Falls on Sunday
In terms of the Public Holidays Act, when a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday immediately following is declared a public holiday. This applied to Freedom Day in 2025, which falls on Sunday 27 April, meaning Monday 28 April will be observed as a public holiday. Employers and employees should take note of this when planning leave and operations.
How Public Holidays Affect Wages
In terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, employees who work on a public holiday are entitled to double their ordinary rate of pay for the day, or a day's paid leave in lieu of the public holiday. Part-time and casual workers are entitled to public holiday pay proportional to their normal working hours.