2023 Public Holidays in South Africa
South Africa celebrates 12 public holidays each year, with 11 of them falling on fixed dates. In 2023, South Africa’s public holidays will take place on the following dates:
January Dates
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- 1 January – New Year’s Day
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- 21 January – Human Rights Day
February Dates
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- 8 February – National Women’s Day
April Dates
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- 2 April – Family Day
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- 27 April – Freedom Day
May Dates
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- 17 May – Workers Day
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- 25 May – African Day
June Dates
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- 16 June – Youth Day
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- 20 June – June 16th
August Dates
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- 9 August – National Women’s Day
September Dates
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- 24 September – Heritage Day
December Dates
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- 16 December – Day of Reconciliation
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- 25 December – Christmas Day
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- 26 December – Day of Goodwill
It is important to note that public holidays that fall on a Sunday are rolled over to the following Monday giving South Africans a happy and well-deserved long weekend. With this in mind, plan your schedule accordingly and make the most of South Africa’s public holidays in 2023! South Africa has an extensive public holiday program with holidays scattered throughout the year. This year is no exception, with eleven public holidays set for the calendar year of 2023.
The public holidays not only provide citizens with a much needed respite from their daily lives and work, but they also celebrate the South African culture and its history. The list of days include New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Freedom Day, Human Rights Day, Workers’ Day and Heritage Day, celebrating the African pride and heritage.
The first holiday of the year is New Year’s Day on January 1st which celebrates the new year and encourages people to start the year off with a fresh outlook. Then comes Family Day on March 21st, where families are encouraged to come together, spend time together and celebrate the importance of family.
Easter Monday is on April 4th, followed by Freedom Day on April 27th. Freedom Day celebrates the anniversary of South Africa’s first free and fair democratic election. On May 1st, it’s Workers’ Day, a day celebrating the hard work of employees and labourers as well as advocating for better wages and better working conditions.
Human Rights Day on March 21st honours the transition to democracy in South Africa and marks the abolishment of the apartheid laws. Heritage Day is on September 24th, a day to celebrate and honour the many components that make up South African Society.
The public holiday schedule rounds off with Christmas Day on the 25th December and the Day of Goodwill on the 26th December. The Day of Goodwill gives people an extra day to either rest, relax, or spend time doing enjoyable activities with loved ones.
Whatever a person’s plans are, these eleven public holidays are definitely worth taking note of and planning around as they give everyone a much needed break from the sudden stresses and anxieties that come with everyday life.
