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Public Holidays in South Africa 1972

South Africa has 13 public holidays in 1972. The first is New Year's Day on Saturday, January 1 and the last is Day of Goodwill on Tuesday, December 26. The weekend is Saturday and Sunday.

13
Holidays
10
On working days
5
Long weekends
250
Working days

South African public holidays 1972

Date Holiday
Saturday New Year's Day
Tuesday Human Rights Day
Friday Good Friday
Monday Family Day
Thursday Freedom Day
Monday Workers' Day
Friday Youth Day
Wednesday National Women's Day
Sunday Heritage Day
Monday Heritage Day (observed)
Saturday Day of Reconciliation
Monday Christmas Day
Tuesday Day of Goodwill

Public holidays under the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994. A holiday on a Sunday moves to the Monday. Source: South African Government, public holidays; rules checked October 17, 2026.

Long weekends in 1972

Three or more days off in a row, with no leave needed.

  • Fri, Mar 31 – Mon, Apr 3

    Good Friday, Family Day

    4 days
  • Sat, Apr 29 – Mon, May 1

    Workers' Day

    3 days
  • Fri, Jun 16 – Sun, Jun 18

    Youth Day

    3 days
  • Sat, Sep 23 – Mon, Sep 25

    Heritage Day

    3 days
  • Sat, Dec 23 – Tue, Dec 26

    Christmas Day, Day of Goodwill

    4 days

Take one day off, get a longer break

Book a single day of leave on these dates to join a holiday to the weekend.

  • Take Mon, Mar 20 off

    Sat, Mar 18 – Tue, Mar 21 · Human Rights Day

    4 days
  • Take Fri, Apr 28 off

    Thu, Apr 27 – Mon, May 1 · Freedom Day, Workers' Day

    5 days

Working days in South Africa 1972

Business days and working hours for every month and quarter.

1972 calendar for South Africa

A printable year calendar with these holidays marked.

Countdown timer

Count down to the next holiday, Eid, Christmas or New Year.

South African holidays 1972: questions and answers

How many public holidays are there in South Africa in 1972?

There are 13 South African public holidays in 1972, counting substitute days. 10 of them fall on working days, which leaves 250 working days after 106 weekend days.

What are the South African holidays in 1972?

The South African public holidays in 1972 are New Year's Day (Saturday, January 1), Human Rights Day (Tuesday, March 21), Good Friday (Friday, March 31), Family Day (Monday, April 3), Freedom Day (Thursday, April 27), Workers' Day (Monday, May 1), Youth Day (Friday, June 16), National Women's Day (Wednesday, August 9), Heritage Day (Sunday, September 24), Heritage Day (observed) (Monday, September 25), Day of Reconciliation (Saturday, December 16), Christmas Day (Monday, December 25) and Day of Goodwill (Tuesday, December 26).

How many long weekends are there in South Africa in 1972?

There are 5 long weekends of three days or more in 1972: Mar 31–Apr 3 (4 days, Good Friday, Family Day); Apr 29–May 1 (3 days, Workers' Day); Jun 16–Jun 18 (3 days, Youth Day); Sep 23–Sep 25 (3 days, Heritage Day); Dec 23–Dec 26 (4 days, Christmas Day, Day of Goodwill).

Which days are the weekend in South Africa?

The weekend in South Africa is Saturday and Sunday. Holidays that fall on a weekend are shown in the list, and the weekday given off instead is listed as well.

Are these holidays the same everywhere in South Africa?

Public holidays under the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994. A holiday on a Sunday moves to the Monday.

Public holidays 1972 in other countries