Complete list of 12 public holidays in South Africa for 2026, plus 0 joint leave days and 0 regional observances. Find long weekends, dates, and historical context.
By category: 10 Civil · 2 Christian. Classification is derived from each holiday's name and underlying calendar system.
Religious observances (Christian Easter cycle), international UN/WHO days, and cultural observances that are widely marked in South Africa but are not official public holidays. Dates are algorithmic — accurate for any year.
Observances are marked but not gazetted as public holidays — workplaces, banks and schools usually remain open.
In 2026, South Africa has 7 natural long-weekend opportunities, totaling 25 potential days off. Use our planner to optimize leave strategy.