Public Holidays in 2024
South Africans can expect to enjoy 14 public holidays in 2024, with an extra public holiday as one holiday falls on a Sunday
South Africa will have 14* public holidays in 2024 – a number which includes an additional day off to celebrate one public holiday which falls on a Sunday.
The Public Holidays Act (Act No 36 of 1994) determines that whenever a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday following it shall be a public holiday.
ALSO READ | SEVEN ways to take control of your MONEY like a boss in South Africa
However, South Africans will ‘lose’ one public holiday next year as Freedom Day falls on Saturday, 27 April.
ALSO READ | Lift Airline surprises clients with another innovative idea
Diarise the following public holidays in 2024 and plan your vacations accordingly!
* UPDATE: Due to the 2024 general elections next year, South Africa will be granted an extra public holiday. Although the exact date is yet to be confirmed, it’s likely to be on a Wednesday in late April, or more likely May.
As reported by The South African website HERE, billionaire Rob Hersov has predicted that the elections will take place on 22 May 2024.
PROUDLY SA | SA’s youngest female medical doctor is struggling to find a job
One public holiday has passed – at the time of publishing.
The next public holiday is Human Rights Day, which falls on Thursday, 21 March.
VIRAL | Dubai International might break passenger record in 2024
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN 2024
Monday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
Thursday, 21 March: Human Rights Day
Friday, 29 March: Good Friday
Monday, 1 April: Family Day
Saturday, 27 April: Freedom Day
Wednesday, 1 May: Workers’ Day
Sunday, 16 June: Youth Day
Monday, 17 June: Public holiday Youth Day observed
Friday, 9 August: National Women’s Day
Tuesday, 24 September: Heritage Day
Monday, 16 December: Day of Reconciliation
Wednesday, 25 December: Christmas Day
Thursday, 26 December: Day of Goodwill
TBC – General election public holiday
ALSO READ | DSTV: Major sports channel now included in entry-level package
In a typical year, South Africa has 12 public holidays, which is roughly the average when compared to other countries.
The global average for public holidays is 11 days.
Workers in most European countries enjoy 10-14 public holidays a year. The United Kingdom, however, has only eight.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Myanmar has 30 public holidays, while Sri Lanka, Iran, India, and China have 29, 27, 21, and 17, respectively.