What is Bank Holidays?
A bank holiday is a national public holiday in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and the Crown dependencies. The term refers to all public holidays in the United Kingdom, be they set out in statute, declared by royal proclamation or held by convention under common law.
Which Country Has The Most Public Holidays?
Iran tops the ranking. Iranian workers are entitled to one month paid annual leave and 27 paid public holidays. Azerbaijan, Bulgaria and Malaysia share the second place with 19 paid public holidays.
Is Saturday A Business Day For Banks In South Africa?
For the most part, businesses are open on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Offices are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
What Is The Oldest Holiday In The World?
Halloween, celebrated annually on October 31, is one of the world’s oldest holidays. Although it’s derived from ancient festivals and religious rituals, Halloween is still widely celebrated today in a number of countries around the globe.
Banks In South Africa
With such a diverse landscape and animal life in South Africa, it is no wonder that several of the largest, tallest, smallest, fastest and heaviest animals in the world are found in South Africa.
The banking industry in South Africa is a mature, well organized industry. Although South African banks tends to get very busy over the weekends, most of the time it is breeze to do business with them. And, with a favourable exchange rate for most foreign visitors, South Africa is usually an inexpensive holiday destination.
The South African Reserve Bank is the central bank of South Africa, with the primary purpose of achieving and maintaining financial stability.
South Africa has several major banks, with branches in most towns. ATMs are also readily available, and tourists should have no trouble finding a branch of their favorite South African bank.
Banking Hours In South Africa
Most banks in South are open from 09h00 to 15h30 on weekdays, and 09h00 – 11h00 over weekends. Banks are closed on Public Holidays and on Sundays.
List of South African Banks
Most popular South African Banks
Absa Bank
FirstRand Bank (First National Bank)
Standard Bank
Nedbank
Other Locally-controlled banks
African Bank
Bidvest Bank
Capitec Bank
Grindrod Limited
Imperial Bank
Investec Bank
Foreign-controlled banks
Mercantile Bank
South African Bank of Athens
South Africa Public Holidays
South Africa’s Public Holiday Act established in 1994 regulates the country’s paid public holidays. Employees are entitled to 12 paid public holidays per year.
Many South African public holidays were established in honor of political struggles and the country’s fight to achieve equality for all citizens. Freedom Day is an observance of South Africa’s first democratic elections. Youth Day honor’s the country’s young adults, many of whom lost their lives during protests and riots during the struggle for equal education.
One of the newest and most significant public holidays is Heritage Day. This important holiday celebrates cultural diversity and the historical inheritance of all citizens nationwide. The annual celebration promotes culture as a means to build a new and peaceful nation. The Day of Reconciliation, also known as a day of thanksgiving celebrates the advent of democracy in a once war-ravished nation.
If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, employees are entitled to take the following Monday off with pay. All employees are paid for public holidays at the normal pay rate. Employees are not required to work on public holidays with prior written authorisation. In the event an employee is required to work on a holiday, he or she will receive compensation equal to double the regular wage, known as double time.
The laws are somewhat different for shift workers. If a regularly scheduled shift includes a public holiday, the entire shift is designated as a holiday. Shift workers must be paid a minimum of double time for the entire shift.
