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Working Hours 2026

Complete guide to working hours, public holidays, and annual leave in South Africa for 2026

251
Working Days
in 2026
2,259
Working Hours
total
10
Public Holidays
on weekdays
21
Annual Leave
minimum days

Standard Work Week

  • 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

21 days

21 consecutive days or 15 working days per year (3 weeks).

Monthly Averages

  • 20.9 working days/month
  • 188.3 working hours/month

Monthly Working Hours Goals 2026

Expected working hours per month based on 9-hour workday, excluding weekends and public holidays.

MonthWorking DaysMonthly Goal
January 202621189.00
February 202620180.00
March 202622198.00
April 202619171.00
May 202620180.00
June 202621189.00
July 202623207.00
August 202620180.00
September 202621189.00
October 202622198.00
November 202621189.00
December 202621189.00
Total2512259.00

Public Holidays in South Africa 2026

South Africa has 13 public holidays in 2026, with 10 falling on weekdays. See full public holidays list

Understanding Holiday Types

Different countries use different terminology for non-working days. Here is what each term means for workforce planning.

Public Holidays

Official days off recognized by a country's government. Most employees are entitled to paid leave, and businesses may close or operate with reduced staff.

Federal Holidays

Holidays established by a national government, primarily affecting government offices and federally-regulated employers. Private companies may choose whether to observe them.

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.

DateDayHoliday
Thu, Jan 1ThursdayNew Year's Day
Sat, Mar 21SaturdayHuman Rights DayWeekend
Fri, Apr 3FridayGood Friday
Mon, Apr 6MondayFamily Day
Mon, Apr 27MondayFreedom Day
Fri, May 1FridayWorkers' Day
Tue, Jun 16TuesdayYouth Day
Sun, Aug 9SundayWomen's Day (National Women's Day)Weekend
Mon, Aug 10MondayWomen's Day (observed)
Thu, Sep 24ThursdayHeritage Day
Wed, Dec 16WednesdayDay of Reconciliation
Fri, Dec 25FridayChristmas Day
Sat, Dec 26SaturdayDay of GoodwillWeekend

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