South Africa Public Holidays 2027
Planning dates for South Africa in 2027. Check the data status for coverage, pending announcements and regional differences. Download the dates listed below as ICS.
South Africa Public Holidays 2027
| Date | Day | Holiday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Friday | New Year's Day | — |
| Mar 21 | Sunday | Human Rights Day | Substitute: Mon Mar 22 |
| Mar 22 | Monday | Human Rights Day (substitute) | Observed in lieu of Sun Mar 21 |
| Mar 26 | Friday | Good Friday | Easter weekend |
| Mar 29 | Monday | Family Day | Easter Monday |
| Apr 27 | Tuesday | Freedom Day | Commemorates 1994 first democratic elections |
| May 1 | Saturday | Workers' Day | No automatic Monday holiday for Saturday dates |
| Jun 16 | Wednesday | Youth Day | Commemorates 1976 Soweto Uprising |
| Aug 9 | Monday | National Women's Day | Commemorates 1956 women's march |
| Sep 24 | Friday | Heritage Day | Also known as Braai Day |
| Dec 16 | Thursday | Day of Reconciliation | — |
| Dec 25 | Saturday | Christmas Day | No automatic Monday holiday for Saturday dates |
| Dec 26 | Sunday | Day of Goodwill | Monday 27 December is also a public holiday |
| Dec 27 | Monday | Day of Goodwill (observed) | Following Monday under the Sunday rule |
* When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is the substitute public holiday as per the South African Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994. Last verified: 2026-10-03.
About South Africa Public Holidays
South Africa's public holidays are governed by the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994, which established the current framework for national rest days following the country's transition to democracy. The Act provides for 12 official public holidays per year, each chosen to reflect significant moments in South African history, cultural heritage, or global observances. A defining feature of the Act is its Sunday rule: whenever a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday automatically becomes a public holiday in its place, ensuring workers consistently receive their entitlement to a paid day off.
In 2027, Human Rights Day on Sunday 21 March makes Monday 22 March an additional public holiday. Day of Goodwill on Sunday 26 December similarly makes Monday 27 December a public holiday. Workers' Day and Christmas Day fall on Saturdays, but the Act's automatic following-Monday rule applies specifically to holidays that fall on Sunday.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This page lists 14 distinct dates for 2027. The statutory Sunday-to-Monday rule adds 27 December 2027 after Day of Goodwill, even though the current government web list omits that observed date.
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Human Rights Day falls on Sunday, 21 March 2027. Because it falls on a Sunday, the substitute public holiday is observed on Monday, 22 March 2027. Human Rights Day commemorates the Sharpeville massacre of 21 March 1960, when 69 people were killed during a protest against apartheid pass laws.
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The status widget at the top of this page automatically detects today's date using Africa/Johannesburg timezone and checks only the 2027 dates listed on this page; it cannot determine holiday status for a different year.
Long weekends in 2027
Calculated from the holidays listed on this page and a Saturday–Sunday weekend. Regional schedules and employer rules may differ.
Calculating…