REMINDER: Monday is a public holiday in SA – here’s why
South Africans will get an extended long weekend as Monday, 10 August 2026, is a public holiday. National Women’s Day falls on Sunday, 9 August this year.…
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South Africans will get an extended long weekend as Monday, 10 August 2026, is a public holiday.
National Women’s Day falls on Sunday, 9 August this year. This means the public holiday carries over to Monday.
The South African government’s official 2026 calendar confirms both 9 August as National Women’s Day and 10 August as the observed public holiday.
Why is Monday a public holiday?
The answer lies in the Public Holidays Act (Act 36 of 1994).
Under the Act, when an official public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday also becomes a public holiday.
This means South Africans effectively have a three-day weekend from Saturday, 8 August, to Monday, 10 August.
Government’s 2026 school calendar also lists 10 August as a public holiday, with National Women’s Day observed on the Monday.
South Africa marks National Women’s Day
National Women’s Day commemorates the historic march of 9 August 1956, when women marched against apartheid pass laws.
This year’s commemoration carries added significance as South Africa marks the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March.
The national celebration will take place at the Union Buildings in Tshwane on Sunday under the theme “Empowered Women Empower The Nation.”
When is the next public holiday?
After the August long weekend, South Africa’s next public holiday will be Heritage Day on Thursday, 24 September 2026, so consider taking Friday off.
The remaining public holidays for the year include the Day of Reconciliation on 16 December, Christmas Day on 25 December and the Day of Goodwill on 26 December.