ALREADY planning ahead on how to get the most out of your leave in 2026? Don’t worry, we got you covered! Here’s how you can maximise a handful of public holidays into nine long weekends this year…

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South Africa has 12 official public holidays on its 2026 calendar. However, only 10 will fall on working days.

They are:

Thursday, 1 January – New Year’s Day

Saturday, 21 March – Human Rights Day – forfeited due to falling on a Saturday.

Friday, 3 April – Good Friday

Monday, 6 April – Easter Monday (Family Day)

Monday, 27 April – Freedom Day

Friday, 1 May – Workers’ Day

Tuesday, 16 June – Youth Day

Sunday, 9 August – National Women’s Day (observed on Monday)

Thursday, 24 September – Heritage Day

Wednesday, 16 December – Day of Reconciliation

Friday, 25 December – Christmas Day

Saturday, 26 December – Day of Goodwill – forfeited due to falling on a Saturday.

How to maximise your leave for 2026

Considering you most likely work on weekdays, and you get public holidays off, here’s how you can turn the holidays into long weekends.

January – Take one 1 day off (2 January), get 4 days off (1-4 January), ie, one long weekend

April – Take 3 days off (28-30 April), get 9 days off (24 April – 3 May), ie, two long weekends

May – Take 1 day off  (4 May) to get 4 days off ( 1 -4 May), ie, one long weekend.

June – Take 1 day off (15 June) to get 4 days off (13-16 June), ie, one long weekend

August – Take 1 day off (7 August) to get 4 days off (7-10 August), ie, one long weekend.

September – Take 1 day off (25 September) to get 4 days off (24- 27 September), ie, one long weekend.

December – Take 2 days off (17-18 December) to get 5 days off (16-20 December), ie, one long weekend.

Take 1 day off (28 December) to get 4 days off (25-28 December), ie, one long weekend.

By using these tips you can gain yourself some little extra freedom for 2026!

Source: www.thesouthafrican.com