19 December 2022
The 27th of December 2022 will be added to the list of South African public holidays and has been officially declared and announced by Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa.
But what is the reasoning behind this?
The reason for declaring an extra public holiday during December is to ensure compliance with legislation and our Country’s Labour Laws. South African citizens enjoy the right to twelve public holidays yearly, per the Public Holiday Act.
As the 25th of December 2022, falls on a Sunday, naturally the following Monday becomes a public holiday, where the public holiday on the Sunday would be observed. However, the 26th of December 2022 is already a public holiday known as the Day of Goodwill (“Boxing Day”), resulting in a paid holiday being lost.
By declaring the 27th of December 2022, a public holiday, the Presidency has ensured compliance with the Act and thus employers would have to take note and comply therewith.
What if you already have approved leave for the 27th?
Employees who have applied for leave over the December period (where the 27th of December 2022 falls within such leave period) would effectively be credited for the day from their applied annual leave, thus giving them one “annual leave day” back.
Do we have an extra holiday every year going forward?
No, this only applies to 2022, as there will again be twelve normal public holidays next year.
Merry Christmas, and enjoy the extra holiday!
