South Africans are counting down the days until the next long weekend – and the good news is that it’s mere days away!
Those who like to diarise days off work will no doubt be well aware that the next official day off work is Monday, 16 June when Youth Day will be celebrated.
Why does South Africa celebrate Youth Day?
Youth Day is the day on which South Africans honour the youth that were ambushed by the apartheid regime police in Soweto on 16 June 1976.
On the day over 500 youths were killed.
On the morning of 16 June 1976, thousands of black students went on a protest rally from their schools to Orlando Stadium.
They were protesting against an official order which made Afrikaans compulsory in black township schools throughout the country.
The use of local languages was prohibited in these schools whilst the constitution supported that Afrikaans and English be made the official languages of the country.
The rally was meant to be a peaceful protest with the intentions to plea with government not to make Afrikaans compulsory in schools.
However, things got out of control when the police were called in to disperse the crowds and riots broke out.
Although the protests of 16 June 1976 resulted in a number of casualties, the youth of 1976 played a role in fighting and overcoming the inequality and oppression caused by apartheid.
Following the advent of democracy in 1994, the new democratic government declared 16 June as National Youth Day and June as Youth Month.
More long weekends in 2025 than 2024
Although South Africans will enjoy fewer public holidays in 2025, there will be more long weekends this year than in 2024.
Mzansi had 14 public holidays in 2024, but there will only be 13 days this year – and only 12 will be actual days off work.
Of course, the fewer days off, the better for business in the country.
Working South Africans will not get a day off to celebrate National Women’s Day in 2025 because the public holiday falls on Saturday, 9 August.
The Public Holidays Act (Act No 36 of 1994) determines that whenever any public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday following it will also be a public holiday.
However, for public holidays that fall on a Saturday, it’s just a ‘normal’ weekend day.
Long weekends
The exciting news is that there are FIVE long weekends in 2025.
The first was thanks to Human Rights Day on Friday, 21 March which gave South Africans 21-23 March off.
The second was the Easter weekend with a four-day 18-21 April break to enjoy your chocolate.
The third was thanks to Freedom Day falling on Sunday, 27 April, meaning Monday, 28 April was a holiday – and another three-day weekend.
Monday, 16 June (Youth Day) will mean another three-day long weekend in mid-year, while the fifth and final long weekend in another four-day one 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 (lost)
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
In a typical year, South Africa has 12 public holidays, which is roughly the average when compared to other countries.
The global average for public holidays is 11 days.
Workers in most European countries enjoy 10-14 public holidays a year. The United Kingdom, however, has only eight.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Myanmar has 30 public holidays, while Sri Lanka, Iran, India and China have 29, 27, 21 and 17, respectively.
Do you have any plans for the Youth Day long holiday?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
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