School & Public Holiday Info
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Public Holidays in South Africa
In every culture, every nation around the globe, certain events have been of such extraordinary social or religious significance that the respective dates were established by law and announced as official holidays, valid for all residents of that specific country. South Africa is no exception to the rule. And once the time comes, people travel - whether to visit relatives or friends in other provinces, to go on a hiking tour in the mountains or simply to relax on one of the country’s picturesque white-sandy beaches.
You too can take advantage of those special times - but make sure to secure your transport well in time! At Around About Cars, even on public holidays you get your favorite car type at the best prices – and of course, plus our usual competent and friendly personal service! Because we are always there for you, even on public holidays which are celebrated throughout South Africa for good reason. You are wondering what these reasons are? We are letting you know! Just read on to find out more. Being in a hurry? In this case just take a quick look at our schedule summary for the next two years.
Three things in advance:
- We are focusing of specific nationwide public holidays. So, if you would like to know more about Easter or Christmas, you must research details on your own
- The streets of South Africa get even busier during the annual school holidays than on individual public holidays. With no question, we also share this data with you
- Finally, in accordance with the Public Holidays Act No 36 of 1994, public holidays falling on a Sunday will be postponed to the following Monday. In other words: Here, too, you should contact us well in advance about your car requirements. Especially since in these cases it is always a long weekend...!
But now: Let’s go in medias res. And have fun with your rental car!
South African Public Holidays 2024
16 December - Day of Reconciliation
25 December - Christmas Day
26 December - Day of Goodwill
South African Public Holidays 2025
1 January: New Year’s Day
21 March: Human Rights Day
18 April: Good Friday
21 April: Family Day
27 April: Freedom Day (note: this is a Sunday!)
1 May: Workers' Day
16 June: Youth Day
9 August: National Women’s Day
24 September: Heritage Day
16 December: Day of Reconciliation
25 December: Christmas Day
26 December: Day of Goodwill
South African Public Holidays 2026
1 January: New Year’s Day
21 March: Human Rights Day
3 April: Good Friday
6 April: Family Day
27 April: Freedom Day
1 May: Workers' Day
16 June: Youth Day
9 August: National Women’s Day (note: this is a Sunday!)
24 September: Heritage Day
16 December: Day of Reconciliation
25 December: Christmas Day
26 December: Day of Goodwill
What are the celebrations for?
21 March: Human Rights Day
The South African Human Rights Day is historically linked to March 21, 1960, when police in Sharpeville used force to end a peaceful protest, against then-current passport laws, resulting in 69 people losing their lives and a further 180 being injured. Exactly 36 years after this event, the South African Human Rights Commission was established, which has since been dedicated to the realization, promotion, protection, and observance of human rights in South Africa.
27 April: Freedom Day
After more than three centuries of colonialism, racial separation and rule by the white minority, democracy has made its way in South Africa - with the climax of the first free elections on April 27, 1994. On this day, the population chose the former freedom fighter Nelson Mandela as president of their country - and with this decision not only a new government, but also a new constitution, the core of which marks the freedom of all people in South Africa.
16 June: Youth Day
Youth day alias Soweto Day commemorates a student protest in the eponymous, now lively district of Johannesburg what was an amalgamation of various townships between 1963 and 1983. The appelative event dates back to 1975, when the Ministry of Education made Afrikaans alongside English a compulsory language of instruction in secondary schools. This decision was the last straw that broke the camel’s back after years by dissatisfaction as to overcrowded classrooms, outdated learning materials, and inadequately trained teachers in schools with black pupils. And so, on June 16, 1976, more than 20,000 students from Soweto came together for a demonstration that resulted in physical clashes with the police and that set the starting point for weeks of continued violence, which ultimately resulted in around 700 losses of life and caused material damage of a notable amount.
9 August: National Women's Day
Once again, a protest was the cause of a public holiday, this time organized and carried out by women - of various origins and from various places. Around 20,000 of them gathered in Pretoria before setting out in small groups towards the Union Building. Their aim: presenting a petition to then Prime Minister J.G. Strijdom. Its content: the demand for the withdrawal of a newly enacted passport law that restricted the freedom of movement of non-white people. The petition was unsuccessful. But their march emphasized the role of politically active women in the fight against apartheid. And so, since 1995, National Women's Day has been celebrated in South Africa on August 9th every year.
24 September: Heritage Day
Even before September 24th was legally designated as a public holiday, this date was of great importance in KwaZulu-Natal – as it was celebrated in the province since 1828 as Shaka Day. It marked the death anniversary of the then Zulu king of the same name, who united previously feuding tribes into a harmonious Zulu nation. Meanwhile redefined Heritage Day, the holiday honors the wide-ranging diversity of the country, also known as the Rainbow Nation, with countless events, reminding all South Africans that even the most diverse cultures can – and should – develop a feeling of togetherness.
16 December: Day of Reconciliation
During the apartheid regime, December 16th commemorated a Voortrekker vow: on that date in 1838, Zulu warriors launched an attack that would go down in history as the “Battle of Blood River” and ensured a more fortunate outcome for the Africans Settlers. Up to today it can’t be proven that it was owed to their promise to build a church and to honour this day in future as a day of thanksgiving in the event of victory. Fact is that the date continued to be celebrated as a public holiday even after the introduction of democracy – just with a new meaning: It is now held as a day of reconciliation, aiming to establish a feeling of a unified national identity.
As promised, here you finally find a list of the four school holidays for all South African Provinces for the current year:
School holidays 2025
Term 1 Holidays 14th December 2024 – 14th January 2025
Special School Holidays 28th April – 2nd May
Term 2 Holidays 30th June – 21st July
Term 3 Holidays 6th October – 10th October
Term 4 Holidays 11th December – tba