According to the Public Holidays Act, South Africa has 12 public holidays (Act No 36 of 1994). The Act states that if a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a public holiday.
New Year’s Day is January 1st.
Human Rights Day is observed on March 21.
Good Friday is April 15th.
Family Day is April 18th.
April 27th is Freedom Day.
Workers’ Day is May 1st.
Workers’ Day is observed on May 2nd as a public holiday.
June 16th is Youth Day.
National Women’s Day is celebrated on August 9th.
Heritage Day is September 24th.
Reconciliation Day is celebrated on December 16th.
Christmas Day is December 25th.
Day of Goodwill on December 26th
* The dates of Good Friday and Easter Sunday are governed by the ecclesiastical moon. This fluctuates from year to year, although it usually falls between late March and late April.
**According to the Public Holidays Act (Act No 36 of 1994), anytime a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday following it becomes a public holiday.
What are the unique traditions of South Africa?
They also have a strong oral culture that includes legends of ancestor heroes. Ancestral worship is popular, and young men must go through a rite of passage. Stick fighting is a popular activity among the Xhosa, especially among the young men who look after the cattle. Women primarily cultivate crops and care for the home.
