Working Days and Hours 2026 - South Africa
For South Africa in 2026, this Monday-to-Friday planning calendar gives 250 days and 2,250 hours at 9 hours per day, after the included public holidays. It assumes those holidays are not worked and excludes personal leave and company closures.
Sandtime.io editorial team ·
Complete guide to working hours, public holidays, and annual leave in South Africa for 2026
Monthly working days and hours 2026
For South Africa in 2026, this Monday-to-Friday planning calendar gives 250 days and 2,250 hours at 9 hours per day, after the included public holidays. It assumes those holidays are not worked and excludes personal leave and company closures.
Monday-Friday; included holidays not worked; daily hours stated in the guide; no personal leave or company closures deducted.
South African law adds the following Monday when a public holiday falls on Sunday. The 2027 calendar therefore includes 22 March and 27 December. Saturday holidays are not automatically moved by that rule. Employer-specific shutdowns and leave must be deducted separately.
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to see every column. With a keyboard, focus the table region and use the arrow keys.
| Month | Planned working days | Working hours | Holidays reducing the total |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | 21 | 189 | 1 |
| February 2026 | 20 | 180 | 0 |
| March 2026 | 22 | 198 | 0 |
| April 2026 | 19 | 171 | 3 |
| May 2026 | 20 | 180 | 1 |
| June 2026 | 21 | 189 | 1 |
| July 2026 | 23 | 207 | 0 |
| August 2026 | 20 | 180 | 1 |
| September 2026 | 21 | 189 | 1 |
| October 2026 | 22 | 198 | 0 |
| November 2026 | 20 | 180 | 1 |
| December 2026 | 21 | 189 | 2 |
| Total | 250 | 2,250 | 11 |
The accessible table contains the same figures.
Working hours in January 2026
In January 2026, the calendar gives 21 working days and 189 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 1 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in February 2026
In February 2026, the calendar gives 20 working days and 180 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 0 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in March 2026
In March 2026, the calendar gives 22 working days and 198 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 0 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in April 2026
In April 2026, the calendar gives 19 working days and 171 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 3 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in May 2026
In May 2026, the calendar gives 20 working days and 180 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 1 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in June 2026
In June 2026, the calendar gives 21 working days and 189 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 1 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in July 2026
In July 2026, the calendar gives 23 working days and 207 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 0 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in August 2026
In August 2026, the calendar gives 20 working days and 180 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 1 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in September 2026
In September 2026, the calendar gives 21 working days and 189 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 1 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in October 2026
In October 2026, the calendar gives 22 working days and 198 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 0 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in November 2026
In November 2026, the calendar gives 20 working days and 180 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 1 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in December 2026
In December 2026, the calendar gives 21 working days and 189 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 2 included holidays on working weekdays.
Plan hours for your working week
The calculator starts with work from Monday to Friday. Choose the days and daily hours that match your schedule. The result shows hours available after holidays; legal working-time limits depend on the rules for your workplace.
Planning weekdays: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; 9 hours/day. Included holidays are assumed not worked; leave and company closures are not deducted.
2,250 hours
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to see every column. With a keyboard, focus the table region and use the arrow keys.
| Month | Planned working days | Working hours | Holidays reducing the total |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | 21 | 189 | 1 |
| February 2026 | 20 | 180 | 0 |
| March 2026 | 22 | 198 | 0 |
| April 2026 | 19 | 171 | 3 |
| May 2026 | 20 | 180 | 1 |
| June 2026 | 21 | 189 | 1 |
| July 2026 | 23 | 207 | 0 |
| August 2026 | 20 | 180 | 1 |
| September 2026 | 21 | 189 | 1 |
| October 2026 | 22 | 198 | 0 |
| November 2026 | 20 | 180 | 1 |
| December 2026 | 21 | 189 | 2 |
| Total | 250 | 2,250 | 11 |
South African law adds the following Monday when a public holiday falls on Sunday. The 2027 calendar therefore includes 22 March and 27 December. Saturday holidays are not automatically moved by that rule. Employer-specific shutdowns and leave must be deducted separately.
How to read the working-hour totals
South African law adds the following Monday when a public holiday falls on Sunday. The 2027 calendar therefore includes 22 March and 27 December. Saturday holidays are not automatically moved by that rule. Employer-specific shutdowns and leave must be deducted separately.
Count the selected working weekdays, subtract the included holidays that fall on those days, then multiply the remaining days by daily hours. Each holiday date is counted once. A holiday on a day you already exclude does not reduce the total again. Legal reductions and official substitute days follow their own rules.
Local working-calendar questions and examples
Does South Africa move Saturday holidays as well as Sunday holidays?
The Public Holidays Act adds the following Monday when a public holiday falls on Sunday. That rule does not automatically transfer Saturday holidays. In 2027, the preview includes Monday March 22 and Monday December 27 following the Sunday holidays. Check separate employer arrangements instead of applying Poland’s Saturday-hour reduction.
Is November 4, 2026 a public holiday in South Africa?
Yes. The President declared Wednesday November 4, 2026, the local government election date, a nationwide public holiday. It is included in this guide’s 2026 calendar. For a Monday-Friday scenario with eight-hour days, it removes eight planned hours from November. This one-off declaration is not copied into the recurring 2027 preview.
Should a South African year-end shutdown replace the public-holiday calendar?
Keep the statutory dates and employer shutdown separate. First remove included holidays on scheduled weekdays, then deduct any remaining company closure or approved leave dates. A December day already excluded as a weekend or holiday must not be removed again. Use the agreed employee schedule when estimating the hours of each absence.
A planning total is not a universal legal annual requirement. Contracts, collective agreements, regions, sectors and actual working schedules can change the result. Record personal leave and company closures separately, and check the country’s working-time rules before using a calendar for payroll.
Working hours 2027: plan the next year
South African law adds the following Monday when a public holiday falls on Sunday. The 2027 calendar therefore includes 22 March and 27 December. Saturday holidays are not automatically moved by that rule. Employer-specific shutdowns and leave must be deducted separately.
For South Africa in 2027, this Monday-to-Friday planning calendar gives 251 days and 2,259 hours at 9 hours per day, after the included public holidays. It assumes those holidays are not worked and excludes personal leave and company closures.
With the same working days and daily hours, the 2027 preview differs from 2026 by 9 hours. The calendars may cover different holidays; check their scope before using the comparison for a budget.
Confirmed holiday dates in the 2027 preview
- - New Year’s Day
- - Human Rights Day
- - Human Rights Day (observed)
- - Good Friday
- - Family Day
- - Freedom Day
- - Workers' Day
- - Youth Day
- - Women’s Day
- - Heritage Day
- - Day of Reconciliation
- - Christmas Day
- - Day of Goodwill
- - Day of Goodwill (observed)
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to see every column. With a keyboard, focus the table region and use the arrow keys.
| Month | Planned working days | Working hours | Holidays reducing the total |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2027 | 20 | 180 | 1 |
| February 2027 | 20 | 180 | 0 |
| March 2027 | 20 | 180 | 3 |
| April 2027 | 21 | 189 | 1 |
| May 2027 | 21 | 189 | 0 |
| June 2027 | 21 | 189 | 1 |
| July 2027 | 22 | 198 | 0 |
| August 2027 | 21 | 189 | 1 |
| September 2027 | 21 | 189 | 1 |
| October 2027 | 21 | 189 | 0 |
| November 2027 | 22 | 198 | 0 |
| December 2027 | 21 | 189 | 2 |
| Total | 251 | 2,259 | 10 |
The accessible table contains the same figures.
Working hours in January 2027
In January 2027, the calendar gives 20 working days and 180 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 1 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in February 2027
In February 2027, the calendar gives 20 working days and 180 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 0 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in March 2027
In March 2027, the calendar gives 20 working days and 180 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 3 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in April 2027
In April 2027, the calendar gives 21 working days and 189 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 1 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in May 2027
In May 2027, the calendar gives 21 working days and 189 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 0 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in June 2027
In June 2027, the calendar gives 21 working days and 189 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 1 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in July 2027
In July 2027, the calendar gives 22 working days and 198 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 0 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in August 2027
In August 2027, the calendar gives 21 working days and 189 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 1 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in September 2027
In September 2027, the calendar gives 21 working days and 189 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 1 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in October 2027
In October 2027, the calendar gives 21 working days and 189 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 0 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in November 2027
In November 2027, the calendar gives 22 working days and 198 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 0 included holidays on working weekdays.
Working hours in December 2027
In December 2027, the calendar gives 21 working days and 189 hours for the selected schedule, after deducting 2 included holidays on working weekdays.
Which months have the most and least working hours in 2026?
The 2026 calendar for South Africa has a highest monthly total of 207 hours (July). The lowest is 171 hours (April). The difference is 36 hours per full-time person before leave, absences and company closures.
Compare delivery commitments by available hours, not by the number of months. Two equally priced monthly retainers can require different staffing when one month has fewer working days. Keep the calendar assumptions fixed, then adjust for each person’s schedule and approved leave before promising project capacity.
From October’s hours to a realistic project budget
Illustrative example for October 2026: start with 198 hours, reserve 18 hours for two scheduled days of approved leave and 27 hours for internal work. That leaves 153 hours for project allocation. It is a planning budget, not a promise that every remaining hour is billable or a record of hours actually worked.
Before the month begins, assign capacity to projects. During the month, keep actual project hours separately. At close, compare planned capacity with recorded work and approved absences; explain the differences before preparing client reports. A national calendar cannot replace either the employee’s schedule or the project record.
Understand billable utilization · Plan project staffing with the free capacity template · Use approved timesheets for client billing
2026 versus 2027: compare the hours month by month
An unchanged annual total can hide a different monthly workload. Compare matching months before reusing a staffing or delivery budget for 2027. This table uses the same daily hours and weekday assumptions in both years; regional and employer-specific calendars still need their own adjustments.
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to see every column. With a keyboard, focus the table region and use the arrow keys.
| Month | 2026 | 2027 | Change in hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 189 | 180 | -9 |
| February | 180 | 180 | 0 |
| March | 198 | 180 | -18 |
| April | 171 | 189 | 18 |
| May | 180 | 189 | 9 |
| June | 189 | 189 | 0 |
| July | 207 | 198 | -9 |
| August | 180 | 189 | 9 |
| September | 189 | 189 | 0 |
| October | 198 | 189 | -9 |
| November | 180 | 198 | 18 |
| December | 189 | 189 | 0 |
| Total | 2,250 | 2,259 | 9 |
See the assumptions and confirmed dates for 2027 · Calculate a different period or working week
Free templates for planning and recording hours
Download editable spreadsheets or printable PDFs without registration. Keep calendar capacity, leave and actual time records separate.
Monthly timesheet
Record actual hours separately from the calendar’s planned total.
Download Excel · Download PDF
Work schedule
Turn monthly capacity into a team schedule and record company days off.
Download Excel · Download PDF
Vacation and leave tracker
Account for personal leave before assigning work to a project.
Download Excel · Download PDF
Time off in lieu tracker
Keep a record of granted compensating leave and its remaining balance.
Download Excel · Download PDFFrom the calendar to reliable time records
A calendar tells you how many hours can be planned. A time record tells you which project used them. Review the actual hours before reporting or billing.
Working Hours and Leave in South Africa 2026
Working week used in calculations
Monday to Friday. Edit working weekdays in the calculator; legal limits and actual schedules are separate.
- 9 hours per day
- 5 days per week
- 45 hours per week
Under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 (s.9), an employer may not require or permit an employee to work more than 45 hours per week. On a 5-day week this means a maximum of 9 hours per day; on a 6-day week, 8 hours per day.
Annual Leave Entitlement
15 days
The statutory allowance is 21 consecutive days per annual cycle, equivalent to 15 working days on a five-day schedule. Alternative accrual agreements may apply.
Monthly Averages
- 20.8 working days/month
- 187.5 working hours/month
Public Holidays in South Africa 2026
The stated calendar for South Africa lists 14 holidays in 2026, with 11 falling on weekdays. See full public holidays list
South African law adds the following Monday when a public holiday falls on Sunday. The 2027 calendar therefore includes 22 March and 27 December. Saturday holidays are not automatically moved by that rule. Employer-specific shutdowns and leave must be deducted separately.
Understanding Holiday Types
Different countries use different terminology for non-working days. Here is what each term means for workforce planning.
Public Holidays
Public holidays listed in the country’s calendar. Check the country guide for the rules on time off, holiday pay and regional differences.
Federal Holidays
Holidays listed in a federal calendar. Check which government offices and employers the calendar covers before applying it to a private workplace.
Bank Holidays
Days when banks and financial institutions are closed. In the UK, this term is synonymous with public holidays. Important for payroll processing and payment schedules.
Observances
Notable dates that are not official days off. Examples include Earth Day or Mother’s Day. These do not affect work schedules unless an employer chooses to recognize them.
| Date | Day | Holiday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Jan 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day (New Year's Day) | |
| Sat, Mar 21 | Saturday | Human Rights Day | Weekend |
| Fri, Apr 3 | Friday | Good Friday | |
| Mon, Apr 6 | Monday | Family Day | |
| Mon, Apr 27 | Monday | Freedom Day | |
| Fri, May 1 | Friday | Workers' Day | |
| Tue, Jun 16 | Tuesday | Youth Day | |
| Sun, Aug 9 | Sunday | Women’s Day (National Women's Day) | Weekend |
| Mon, Aug 10 | Monday | Women’s Day (observed) (Women's Day (observed)) | |
| Thu, Sep 24 | Thursday | Heritage Day | |
| Wed, Nov 4 | Wednesday | Local Government Election Day | |
| Wed, Dec 16 | Wednesday | Day of Reconciliation | |
| Fri, Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | |
| Sat, Dec 26 | Saturday | Day of Goodwill | Weekend |
Turn working days into tracked hours
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