South Africa Public Holidays 2028
South Africa has 12 statutory public holidays under the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994. In 2028, Heritage Day (Sep 24) falls on a Sunday, so Monday Sep 25 is also a public holiday — 13 days off in total. Holidays falling on a Saturday (New Year's Day and Day of Reconciliation in 2028) get no substitute.
Days off
13
Statutory holidays
12
Longest break
Easter · 4 days
Festive season
Dec 23–26 · 4 days
2028 South Africa calendar
01January
02February
03March
04April
05May
06June
07July
08August
09September
10October
11November
12December
South Africa public holiday list
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2028 | Saturday | New Year's DayNew Year's Day falls on a Saturday in 2028. The Act grants a substitute only for Sunday holidays, so there is no Monday day off.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| March 21, 2028 | Tuesday | Human Rights DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| April 14, 2028 | Friday | Good FridayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| April 17, 2028 | Monday | Family DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| April 27, 2028 | Thursday | Freedom DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| May 1, 2028 | Monday | Workers' DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| June 16, 2028 | Friday | Youth DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| August 9, 2028 | Wednesday | National Women's DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| September 24, 2028 | Sunday | Heritage DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| September 25, 2028 | Monday | Heritage Day (observed)Heritage Day (Sep 24) falls on a Sunday, so the following Monday is also a public holiday under the Public Holidays Act.Substitute holiday | Substitute holiday |
| December 16, 2028 | Saturday | Day of ReconciliationDay of Reconciliation falls on a Saturday in 2028, and Saturday holidays receive no substitute day under the Act.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| December 25, 2028 | Monday | Christmas DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| December 26, 2028 | Tuesday | Day of GoodwillPublic holiday | Public holiday |
How South African public holidays work
South Africa has 12 public holidays set by the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994, and they apply nationwide — unlike Australia or the US, there is no state-by-state variation. The calendar mixes fixed dates (Freedom Day on Apr 27, Youth Day on Jun 16, Day of Reconciliation on Dec 16) with the movable Easter pair of Good Friday and Family Day (Easter Monday).
The Act has a one-directional substitute rule: when a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is also a public holiday. In 2028 this triggers once — Heritage Day on Sunday Sep 24 makes Monday Sep 25 a day off. But holidays landing on a Saturday get nothing: New Year's Day (Sat Jan 1) and Day of Reconciliation (Sat Dec 16) simply pass without a weekday substitute.
Planning around the 2028 calendar
The standout break is Easter: Good Friday (Apr 14) through Family Day (Apr 17) gives four consecutive days off with no leave needed. Youth Day (Fri Jun 16) makes a natural three-day weekend, and the festive season runs four days — Saturday Dec 23 through Day of Goodwill on Tuesday Dec 26.
With a little annual leave, two stretches stretch further: take Friday Apr 28 off and Freedom Day (Thu Apr 27) through Workers' Day (Mon May 1) becomes five days; take Friday Sep 22 off and the Heritage Day weekend (Sep 23–25) also becomes five. National Women's Day (Wed Aug 9) and Human Rights Day (Tue Mar 21) split their weeks, so both are candidates for bridging with a day or two of leave.
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Official sources & data
- Public holidaysVisit sourceSouth African Government
- Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994Visit sourceSouth African Government
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does South Africa have in 2028?+
The Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994 sets 12 statutory public holidays, and they all occur in 2028. Because Heritage Day (Sep 24) falls on a Sunday, Monday Sep 25 is an additional public holiday — so South Africans get 13 days off in 2028.
Why is September 25, 2028 a public holiday in South Africa?+
Heritage Day is September 24, which is a Sunday in 2028. Under the Public Holidays Act, whenever a public holiday falls on a Sunday the following Monday is also a public holiday — so Monday September 25 is the observed day off.
Is there a substitute day when a South African holiday falls on a Saturday?+
No. The substitute rule in the Public Holidays Act covers Sunday only — a holiday that falls on a Saturday simply passes. In 2028 this affects New Year's Day (Sat Jan 1) and Day of Reconciliation (Sat Dec 16): neither gets a Monday off.
Are the South Africa 2028 public holiday dates final?+
Yes. Ten of the twelve holidays are fixed calendar dates set by statute, and the Easter pair (Good Friday Apr 14 and Family Day Apr 17, 2028) follows the astronomically defined Easter Sunday, which is settled centuries in advance. Unlike lunar-calendar holidays, nothing here is provisional.
What are the long weekends in South Africa in 2028?+
Easter is the longest: Good Friday (Apr 14) to Family Day (Apr 17) is four days. Youth Day (Fri Jun 16) gives a three-day weekend, Heritage Day (Sun Sep 24) plus its Monday substitute makes Sep 23–25 a three-day break, and the festive season runs Saturday Dec 23 through Day of Goodwill (Tue Dec 26) — four days.
