Public Holidays and School Terms for 2020
2020 Public Holidays
21 March 2020 (Saturday) – Human Rights Day– The holiday commemorates the establishment of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).
10 April 2020 (Friday) – Good Friday– Many countries observe Good Friday as a national holiday on the Friday before Easter. The day commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.
13 April 2020 (Monday) – Family Day– In 1995 Easter Monday was renamed Family Day. Easter Monday is a Christian holiday celebrated the day after Easter Sunday.
27 April 2020 (Monday) – Freedom Day– The day celebrates freedom and commemorates the first democratic post-apartheid non-racial elections that were held on April 27th 1994, which saw Nelson Mandela elected as President.
1 May 2020 (Friday) – Workers’ Day– In South Africa, Worker’s Day celebrates the role played by trade unions, the Communist Party and other labour movements in the struggle against Apartheid.
16 June 2020 (Tuesday) – Youth Day– Previously known as Soweto Day, Youth Day marks the start of the Soweto riots of 1976.
10 August 2020 (Monday) – For Women’s Day on Sunday, 9 August– The holiday commemorates the national march of women on this day in 1956 to petition against legislation that required African persons to carry the ‘pass’.
24 September 2020 (Thursday) – Heritage Day– Known as Erfenisdag in Afrikaans, the intention of Heritage Day is for all South Africans to celebrate their heritage, the diversity of their beliefs and traditions and remember their struggles against Apartheid.
In 2002, a media campaign was launched to rebrand Heritage Day as National Braai Day. The intention was to recognize the South African culinary traditions of holding informal backyard barbecues. It often said in such a diverse country that Braai is something that unites all South Africans!
16 December 2020 (Wednesday) – Day of Reconciliation– The intention is to celebrate the end of apartheid and foster reconciliation between different racial groups. The holiday came into effect in 1994 after the end of Apartheid.
25 December 2020 (Friday) – Christmas Day- On this day, over two billion people (over a third of the world’s population) will celebrate the birth of Christ.
26 December 2020 (Saturday) – Day of Goodwill- The day after celebrating Christmas…. This public holiday is celebrated on December 26th in several countries as part of the Christmas holidays.
2020 School Terms (all provinces)
First Term
Opens 13 January 2020 (for Educators) and 15 January 2020 (for Learners)
Closes 20 March 2020
Second Term
Opens 31 March 2020 / Closes 12 June 2020
Third Term
Opens 7 July 2020 / Closes 18 September 2020
Fourth Term
Opens 29 September 2020
Closes 2 December 2020 (for Learners) and 4 December 2020 (for Educators)