Workers lose out as public holiday falls on a weekend
South Africans are set to celebrate a significant public holiday this week — but there’s some disappointing news that comes with it…
South Africa is preparing to celebrate National Women’s Day this week, but many people are feeling let down.
This year, the public holiday lands on a Saturday, so South Africans won’t receive an extra day off.
The Public Holidays Act (Act No. 36 of 1994) explains that if a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes a public holiday. However, when it falls on a Saturday, it counts as a regular weekend day.
No day off for National Women’s Day
National Women’s Day, celebrated on 9 August every year, is one of the country’s most significant public holidays.
It honours the historic 1956 march when more than 20 000 women of all races gathered at the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest the apartheid government’s pass laws.
Led by Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, the march stands as a pivotal moment in South Africa’s struggle for women’s rights and equality.
The day holds more than symbolic value—it encourages reflection on the progress achieved in advancing gender equality and the challenges that still lie ahead.
However, because National Women’s Day lands on a Saturday this year, South Africans working a standard Monday-to-Friday week won’t get an extra day off.
That means many people who were hoping for a long weekend will have to settle for a normal one!