Start planning your 2026 getaways around these public holidays

While we’re unfortunately missing out on two public holidays this year – as they fall on Saturdays – we’re fortunate in that South Africa has MANY public holidays to enjoy while in Durban or exploring the province.

Plus, if you plan your leave cleverly, you can really maximise your time off with extended long weekends and longer breaks, depending on which days you select.

Both Human Rights Day (21 March) and the Day of Goodwill (26 December) fall on Saturdays, which is fine if you’re a weekend worker – not so much if you’re off on Saturdays anyway.

Let’s be honest though, Dezemba is pretty much a holiday month regardless, so we’re really only losing one day.

South African public holidays in 2026

• 1 January (Thursday): New Year’s Day
• 21 March (Saturday): Human Rights Day
• 3 April (Friday): Good Friday
• 6 April (Monday): Family Day
• 27 April (Monday): Freedom Day
• 1 May (Friday): Workers’ Day
• 16 June (Tuesday): Youth Day
• 9 August (Sunday): National Women’s Day
• 10 August (Monday): National Women’s Day observed
• 24 September (Thursday): Heritage Day
• 16 December (Wednesday): Day of Reconciliation
• 25 December (Friday): Christmas Day
• 26 December (Saturday): Day of Goodwill

Maximise your leave days in 2026

If you’re keen to make 2026 your year of travel, then there are lots of ways you can arrange long, travel-worthy breaks.

By aligning your annual leave with the public holidays, it’s possible to turn some 20 leave days into up to 48 days off! Here’s how:

• For Easter, book Tuesday 7 to Friday 10 April and enjoy a 10-day break from Friday 3 to Sunday 12 April.
• Around Freedom Day and Workers’ Day, take Tuesday 28 to Thursday 30 April off to score nine days off from 25 April to 3 May.
• For Youth Day, book Monday 15 June and Wednesday 17 to Friday 19 June to get nine days off from 13 to 21 June.
• In August, National Women’s Day is observed on Monday, 10 August, so take Tuesday 11 to Friday 14 August for another nine-day break (8 to 16 August).
• Heritage Day falls on Thursday 24 September; booking Monday 21 to Wednesday 23 September gives you six days off (19 to 24 September).

Contact HR, book that leave, and start planning your 2026 travels to beat the post-holiday blues!

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