South African Public Holidays

The Mzansi calendar is full of national holidays that reflect and celebrate the country’s wealth of cultural diversity!

Last Updated: 4 January 2017

Owing to its divisive history, South Africa boasts more public holidays than most countries. Mzansi has 12 public holidays during the year, and whenever any public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday following it is marked as an off-day.

In the past, the country’s national holidays used to reflect the beliefs of the ruling white minority government. After the fall of apartheid and the rise of South Africa as a democratic nation, the government transformed these off-days to embody South Africa’s diversity and celebrate its people.

And since South Africans, especially Capetonians, don’t need much of a reason to party, there is sure to be a slew of awesome events, festivals and rallies to celebrate the public holidays.

2017 CALENDAR OF PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN SOUTH AFRICA

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