December 27 declared a public holiday in South Africa

South Africans will enjoy Tuesday, December 27, as a public holiday due to this year’s Christmas Day being on a Sunday.

This follows a declaration by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday, in line with the state’s Public Holidays Act.

“In terms of the 2022 annual calendar, Christmas Day, 25 December, falls on a Sunday. Section 2(1) of the Public Holidays Act provides that "whenever a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be a public holiday”,” Ramaphosa said in a statement.

“In this instance, the Monday following the 25 December 2022 is another public holiday, Day of Goodwill.”

Ramaphosa went on to explain the decision, saying “If the holiday of Sunday, 25 December were to be moved to Monday, 26 December, this would cancel the holiday of 26 December or cause the two holidays – which are part of 12 paid public holidays annually - to overlap.”

“This would mean workers would only have 11 paid public holidays in this year, while Section 5 of the Public Holidays Act provides that "... every employee shall be entitled to ... at least the number of public holidays as provided for in this Act."

The president noted that he had declared the public holiday due to “the unique circumstances around the 2022 calendar, and to uphold relevant labour law principles and practices.”