National Women’s Day: Will South Africans enjoy a day off?
As South Africans prepare to celebrate National Women’s Day this weekend, many are asking whether it comes with a day off.
South Africa will celebrate National Women’s Day this weekend, but workers won’t get a day off this year.
Since 9 August falls on a Saturday, South Africans won’t receive an extra day off.
The Public Holidays Act (Act No. 36 of 1994) states that if a public holiday lands on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes a day off—but when it falls on a Saturday, it counts as part of the normal weekend.
No extra day off for South Africans
Despite this bad luck, National Women’s Day is still a significantly important holiday in South Africa.
South Africans observe National Women’s Day every year on 9 August to commemorate the 1956 march, when more than 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Led by Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, the women united to protest the apartheid government’s pass laws—marking a pivotal moment in the country’s fight for equality and women’s rights.
The day is not only symbolic of the sacrifices made but also serves as a time to reflect on the progress achieved and the challenges that remain in the fight for gender equality.