South Africa : public and bank holidays, closure of banks, stock exchanges, school vacations

Secular holiday : In 1975 protests started in African schools after a directive from the then Bantu Education Department that Afrikaans had to be used on an equal basis with English as a language of instruction in secondary schools. The issue, however, was not so much the Afrikaans as the whole system of Bantu education which was characterised by separate schools and universities, poor facilities, overcrowded classrooms and inadequately trained teachers. On 16 June 1976 more than 20 000 pupils from Soweto began a protest march. Paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday Previously known as Soweto Day.

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Special Events : In tribute to former president Nelson Mandela. Madiba was politically active for 67 years and on Mandela Day people are called upon to spend at least 67 minutes doing something useful within their communities. From 2009 onwards.

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Secular holiday : Commemorates 9 August 1956 when women participated in a national march to petition against pass laws (legislation that required African persons to carry a document on them to ‘prove’ that they were allowed to enter a ‘white area’

Culture : Lasts one week

cards/flowers : Jewish New Year

Secular holiday : All that the people of South Africa inherit: the sum total of wild life and scenic parks, sites of scientific or historical importance, national monuments, historic buildings, works of art, literature and music, oral traditions and museum collections together with their documentation. Not a paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday

Secular holiday : All that the people of South Africa inherit: the sum total of wild life and scenic parks, sites of scientific or historical importance, national monuments, historic buildings, works of art, literature and music, oral traditions and museum collections together with their documentation. Not a paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday

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Culture : Also known as Bonfire Night, Cracker Night, Fireworks Night, Bommy Night: celebrates the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot of the 5th of November, 1605 in which a number of Catholic conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, were alleged to be attempting to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London.

cards/flowers : The Light festival starts with festivities. The week celebrates 1.Dhanteras, 2.Kali Chaudas, 3.Deepavali, 4.Navu-Varsha (new year), 5.Bhai-beej. The Vai cast is mainly concerned. May last several days.

cards/flowers : Commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt (2nd century BC)

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Secular holiday : Started in 1994 (at the end of apartheid), to foster national unity between South African communities. Not a paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday

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Catholic or protestant : Since pre-historic times in Europe, festivities (bonfires, offrerings) were marking the beginning of longer hours of daylight with fires and ritual. The Roman festival of Saturnalia lasted several days in December (gambling and offerings). Germanic tribes also celebrated mid-winter (drinking and rituals). The Bulgarian (with Koleduvane) and the Polish (with Gwiazdka) perpetuate this tradition. Jesus of Nazareth was probably born in springtime (Reformists favour autumn). But in the 4th century, December 25th was chosen for the celebration of his birth by Pope Julius I (Bishop Liberus is also mentioned in 354 A.D.). Thus, a Christian element was introduced in the long-established mid-winter festivals. Before 1582, the Papal States and other Italian city states celebrated New Year’s Day on Christmas Day.

Secular holiday : Boxing Day was renamed Day of Goodwill in 1994 to split from South Africa's colonial past, and to include all South Africans.

Culture : Szilveszter