In the mosaic of South Africa’s annual calendar, the forthcoming year 2024 promises a bouquet of 14 public holidays, encompassing both traditional celebrations and vital national events. This year also brings an additional day off, aligning with a public holiday that intersects with a weekend, along with the eagerly anticipated voting day for the 2024 national elections.
The specific date for the 2024 national election remains undisclosed as of yet. Historically, this crucial day is typically announced as a public holiday by the President, aiming to grant all South Africans the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote.
Reflecting on the precedent set by the previous national election held on 8 May 2019, projections indicate that the 2024 elections are expected to fall within a similar timeframe.
Furthermore, an extra day off will be observed on 17 June 2024, acknowledging Youth Day, which officially lands on 16 June, a Sunday. As per the regulations outlined in the Public Holidays Act (Act No 36 of 1994), when any public holiday coincides with a Sunday, the subsequent Monday automatically transforms into a public holiday.
Consequently, the 17th of June stands as an additional public holiday, in accordance with the stipulations of the Act.
Outlined below are all the designated public holidays in 2024, in compliance with the Act:
- 1 January – New Year’s Day
- 21 March – Human Rights Day
- 29 March – Good Friday
- 1 April – Family Day
- May (Date to be Determined) – 2024 National Election
- 27 April – Freedom Day
- 1 May – Workers’ Day
- 16 June – Youth Day
- 17 June – Public holiday, observing Youth Day
- 9 August – National Women’s Day
- 24 September – Heritage Day
- 16 December – Day of Reconciliation
- 25 December – Christmas Day
- 26 December – Day of Goodwill
These additional public holidays not only provide a welcomed respite for South Africans but also carry implications for businesses and employers, mandating fair compensation for workers on these days.
When an employee works on a public holiday, including any additional ones declared, the employer is bound by the provisions of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) when determining the remuneration.
Primarily, the employer must ascertain if the public holiday falls on a day that the employee would typically work. If so, and the employee works on that public holiday, the employee is entitled to double their ordinary wage for the day. Alternatively, if the calculated amount exceeds double the ordinary wage, the employee receives their ordinary wage plus the amount earned for the time worked on that day.
However, in scenarios where the employee does not work on a public holiday that coincides with their usual working day, they are still entitled to their ordinary wage for that day.
While 2024 offers South Africa an abundance of public holidays, employers will also experience a unique situation. This year marks a leap year, meaning an additional workday on 29th February, which falls on a Thursday.
This comprehensive overview of South Africa’s 2024 public holidays not only highlights the anticipated days off but also underscores the vital considerations for fair compensation in the workplace. As citizens prepare to commemorate these significant occasions, both leisure and equitable work practices take center stage in the national narrative.
