South Africans returned to work on Thursday morning having enjoyed a midweek break thanks to the Heritage Day public holiday.
No doubt, they were already wondering when the next day off work will be.
It’s a bit of a wait unfortunately, almost three months in fact.
The next public holiday will fall on Tuesday, 16 December when the Day of Reconciliation is celebrated.
Why does South Africa celebrate the Day of Reconciliation?
The Day of Reconciliation, observed annually on 16 December, stands as a powerful symbol of South Africa’s journey toward healing and unity after decades of apartheid rule.
Established in 1995, shortly after the advent of democracy, the public holiday was introduced to promote national reconciliation and racial harmony in a deeply divided society.
Recognising the need for a shared national identity, the democratic government selected a date that holds deep significance for both Afrikaner and indigenous South African communities.
For many Afrikaners, 16 December was historically observed as the Day of the Vow, commemorating the Voortrekker victory over the Zulu army at the Battle of Blood River in 1838 – a pivotal event in Afrikaner history.
For black and indigenous South Africans, the date carries a different legacy.
It marks the launch of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC), on 16 December 1961 – a decisive moment in the struggle against apartheid.
The day also recalls peaceful anti-apartheid demonstrations and broader calls for justice.
In establishing the Day of Reconciliation, President Nelson Mandela and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission aimed to bridge historical divides and foster unity by acknowledging the significance of the date to multiple communities.
Today, South Africans commemorate the day in diverse ways – from remembering past struggles and honouring veterans, to peaceful marches, cultural events, and community gatherings.
It remains a reminder of the country’s painful past and a call to continue working toward a more inclusive and united future.
Next long weekend
There are FIVE long weekends in 2025.
Four have already passed with the fifth and final one scheduled to be four-day long weekend with Christmas and the Day of Goodwill (Boxing Day) falling on a Thursday and Friday, respectively.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN 2025
Diarise the following public holidays in 2025 and plan your vacations accordingly!
Wednesday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
Friday, 21 March: Human Rights Day
Friday, 18 April: Good Friday
Monday, 21 April: Family Day
Sunday, 27 April: Freedom Day
Monday, 28 April: Public holiday for Freedom Day observed
Thursday, 1 May: Workers’ Day
Monday, 16 June: Youth Day
Saturday, 9 August: National Women’s Day
Wednesday, 24 September: Heritage Day
Tuesday, 16 December: Day of Reconciliation
Thursday, 25 December: Christmas Day
Friday, 26 December: Day of Goodwill
Average compared to other countries
South Africa observes 12 public holidays in a typical year – placing it right around the global average of 11 days, according to international comparisons.
The number of public holidays in South Africa aligns closely with most European countries, where workers typically benefit from 10 to 14 days off annually.
However, countries such as the United Kingdom fall below that average, offering only eight public holidays per year.
At the other end of the scale, Myanmar leads globally with a staggering 30 public holidays annually.
Other countries with notably high numbers include Sri Lanka (29), Iran (27), India (21), and China (17).
