🇿🇦South Africa 2021 Public Holidays List
The dates in this table are calculated using the calendar data provider’s rules. Available holiday and observance categories vary by country, region and year.
Holidays
Data sources and review
Calendar data: date-holidays + ClockZone
This selection has not been checked date by date against an official annual calendar. Dates are calculated from the source rules.
Country calendar. Regional dates may differ.
18 entries covering 18 calendar dates, not a count of days off.
South Africa 2021 Holiday Planning Highlights
These country-level estimates assume a Saturday–Sunday weekend. Regional schedules, substitute days and working-day exceptions may differ.
South Africa has 14 public holidays in 2021. The insights below are calculated directly from the holiday dates on this page and can help you plan your time off.
Long weekends without taking leave
The following 6 breaks require no time off, as the holidays are already connected to a weekend.
- New Year's Day: 2021-01-01 to 2021-01-03, 3 consecutive days
- Human Rights Day: 2021-03-20 to 2021-03-22, 3 consecutive days
- Good Friday: 2021-04-02 to 2021-04-05, 4 consecutive days
- National Women's Day: 2021-08-07 to 2021-08-09, 3 consecutive days
- Heritage Day: 2021-09-24 to 2021-09-26, 3 consecutive days
- Christmas Day: 2021-12-25 to 2021-12-27, 3 consecutive days
Take 1 day off for 4+ consecutive days
The following 2 opportunities require taking just 1 day off between a holiday and a weekend to create at least 4 consecutive days of rest.
- Freedom Day: after taking leave, enjoy 4 consecutive days from 2021-04-24 to 2021-04-27
- Day of Reconciliation: after taking leave, enjoy 4 consecutive days from 2021-12-16 to 2021-12-19
In 2021, 4 public holidays fall on a Saturday or Sunday. Whether South Africa provides substitute holidays depends on the official announcement.
12 is the busiest holiday month, with 4 public holidays.