The number of SA public holidays in 2026 adds up to twelve, which is no different to the number Mzansi enjoys every year. However, two SA public holidays in 2026 fall on Saturdays, which effectively means they fall away. As such, the two public holidays we lose in 2026 are Human Rights Day on 21 March 2026 and Day of Goodwill (Boxing Day) on 26 December 2026.
SA PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN 2026
Therefore, that’s one public holiday less compared to 2025, a year in which South Africans enjoy 11 official weekdays off work. Despite this setback, there are still ways savvy South Africans can maximise their leave time …
We took a deep dive into SA public holidays in 2026 and identified the best long-weekend opportunities. These include Freedom Day on Monday 27 April 2026, which creates a natural three-day weekend. Then there is Workers’ Day on Friday 1 May 2026, offering another easy extended break, no leave days required.
EXTENDED LONG WEEKENDS
Furthermore, looking at extended long weekends, there’s Youth Day on Tuesday 16 June 2026. Falling on a Tuesday provides an excellent opportunity to take Monday off for a four-day weekend. Likewise, Heritage Day on Thursday 24 September 2026 is perfectly positioned for workers to take Friday off, creating another four-day escape. As ever, the festive season brings Christmas Day on 25 December 2026, which happens to fall on a Friday.
Unfortunately, the Day of Goodwill (Boxing Day) on Saturday won’t add any extra time off. Nevertheless, the key to making the most of your annual leave in 2026 is identifying these mid-week holidays and booking off accordingly. Therefore, by taking Monday 15 June 2026 and Friday 25 September 2026 off, you’ll secure a full eight days off.
What’s your leave strategy for 2026? Let us know in the comments section below …
