Local government elections: An additional public holiday for 2026

South Africa ordinarily observes 12 official public holidays each year. However, 2026 has gained a lucky number 13, with Government announcing an additional public holiday for 4 November 2026.

Public Holidays Act

Public holidays in South Africa are regulated by legislation, specifically the Public Holidays Act, 36 of 1994. In terms of this Act, the following days are normally recognised as official public holidays throughout the Republic of South Africa:

1. New Year’s Day – 1 January
2. Human Rights Day – 21 March
3. Good Friday – Friday before Easter Sunday
4. Family Day – Monday after Easter Sunday
5. Freedom Day – 27 April
6. Workers’ Day – 1 May
7. Youth Day – 16 June
8. National Women’s Day – 9 August
9. Heritage Day – 24 September
10. Day of Reconciliation – 16 December
11. Christmas Day – 25 December
12. Day of Goodwill – 26 December

Local government elections

This year, however — like many election years before it — the date for the local government elections, Wednesday 4 November 2026, has officially been declared a public holiday throughout the country. President Cyril Ramaphosa made the declaration in terms of Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act, published as Proclamation Notice 346 of 2026 in Government Gazette No. 55352 on 8 September 2026.

In a press release issued by the Presidency on 15 September 2026, the President called on all registered voters to use the opportunity provided by the public holiday to exercise their democratic right and civic duty by voting in the election that empowers citizens to elect local public representatives and influence service delivery where they live. He further urged employers to make provision for employees to exercise their Constitutional right to vote on 4 November.

In the workplace

Employers are reminded that this additional holiday must be treated the same as any other public holiday. Importantly, this is a stand‑alone addition to the calendar under the Public Holidays Act, which empowers the President to declare a specific day a public holiday. It does not replace or absorb an existing holiday; it simply adds one more. Employers must therefore treat 4 November 2026 in the same way as any other gazetted public holiday for purposes of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 75 of 1997 (BCEA).

This means employers have only a few weeks to update payroll systems, operational plans and calendars before the election day public holiday. Preparations should not be left until the last minute. An additional public holiday can affect shift rosters, payroll cut‑off dates, leave arrangements and operational requirements, particularly where employees are scheduled to work over weekends and public holidays.

Employers should review their planning and arrangements now to ensure that the additional public holiday is properly accounted for and that employees are informed timeously of any changes. In sectors where employees are required to work on public holidays, employers should also make provision, where reasonably possible, for employees to have sufficient time to leave work and cast their vote on 4 November.

One change that employers often overlook concerns employees who already have approved leave for that period. In terms of the BCEA, a public holiday does not count as a day of annual leave. Therefore, where employees have pre‑approved annual leave, employers must ensure that the public holiday is correctly accounted for and accurately reflected in employment records.

The right to vote

With the election falling on a Wednesday, employers are encouraged to be flexible and make reasonable arrangements to allow employees enough time to exercise their right to vote. While 4 November 2026 is a public holiday, some employees may still be required to work depending on operational needs and industry rules. Employers who are uncertain about how employees should be paid for work on the public holiday, or how the rules apply to their particular sector, are welcome to contact LWO for advice and guidance.

Contact the LWO for any advice or assistance!

Not an LWO member yet? Take a look at our membership packages.