School Рolidays in South Africa 2026 and 2027 (State and Independent Schools)

In this publication, ALYO.info will examine the following topic: school holidays in South Africa in 2026 and 2027. We will explain when school holidays in South Africa begin and end in both public and independent schools. We will also calculate the dates of long weekends. We will also provide the dates of holidays and additional non-school days when schools are closed. If you use this information on a website, blog, or social media, please leave a link to this material!

What you need to know about the school year in South Africa

South African schools are divided into two types: state and independent. The National Department of Basic Education (DBE) sets the school schedule for state schools . Independent schools have no formally regulated school schedule.

In South Africa, there is the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA). This organization issues guidelines for the school year schedule. These guidelines are not mandatory, but most independent schools adhere to them. The association publishes guidelines for the Central Region, which includes:

• Gauteng Province.
• Free State Province.
• North-West Province.
• Northern Cape Province.

IMPORTANT! The school schedule in South Africa can vary significantly. Here’s a list of the key facts you need to know!

1. All schools are divided into two types: public and independent.
2. In public schools, the academic year is divided into four periods. The school holiday schedule in South Africa in 2026 and 2027 is the same for all public schools. It may be changed only in emergency cases.
3. Most independent schools (private schools) divide the academic year into four terms. Some use a trimester system (the school year is divided into three terms). These are primarily boarding schools and expensive private institutions in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and KwaZulu-Natal.
4. Independent schools in South Africa set their own school holiday and term schedules. The Association of Independent Schools of South Africa issues guidelines for the Central Region.

PLEASE NOTE! Until 2024, school holiday schedules in South Africa differed slightly between coastal and inland provinces. Beginning in 2025, South Africa will transition to a unified schedule for all nine provinces. The distinction between coastal and inland regions will no longer apply to the public school calendar.

In addition to school holidays, children in South Africa enjoy breaks on South African public holidays. In some cases, additional school holidays are introduced, typically one or two days free from school. These days are called bridge days and are introduced to connect a public holiday with a Saturday or Sunday. There will be one such day each in 2026 and 2027.

Bridge days create “long weekends,” which run from Saturday to Tuesday or Thursday to Sunday. To make planning easier, we’ve included them in the general school holiday tables for South Africa in 2026 and 2027.

School holidays in South Africa are typically scheduled so that most public holidays fall on them. If a holiday falls on a non-working day, it is moved to the next working day. For example, in 2026, National Women’s Day falls on Sunday, August 9. Accordingly, all schools are closed on Monday, August 10. We also listed such days in this publication.

South African School Holidays 2026

In this section, we’ve compiled a list of school holidays in South Africa for 2026. The dates listed for state schools must be strictly adhered to. Independent schools in South Africa set their own school schedules.

2026 School Holiday Schedule for Public Schools

School holiday schedule for independent schools in South Africa

Below are the recommended dates for the 2026 school holidays in South Africa for independent schools in the Central Region. Excerpt from the official document:

“Please note that this calendar is a guideline only. Schools in the Central Region are not required to adhere to these dates, and individual schools are free to modify their calendars to suit their specific needs.”

Quarterly system of education (four periods of education per year)

Trimester system of study (three periods of study per year)

Public holidays and non-school days in 2026 in South Africa

We’ve compiled a summary table of all school holidays. It includes public holidays, replacement days (postponed public holidays), and a special school holiday.

PLEASE NOTE ! In South Africa, the day off is moved to Monday if a public holiday falls on Sunday. A public holiday that falls on Saturday is not moved .

South African School Holidays 2027

We’ve prepared a schedule of school holidays in South Africa for 2026. Please note: public schools are required to adhere to these dates. However, private (independent) schools in the country are free to decide when to send their students on holiday.

School Holiday Schedule for Public Schools in 2027

School holiday schedule for independent schools in South Africa

Below are the recommended dates for the 2027 school holidays in South Africa for independent schools in the Central Region. Quoted from the official document of the Independent Schools Association of South Africa:

“Please note that this calendar is a guideline only. Schools in the Central Region are not required to adhere to these dates, and individual schools are free to modify their calendars to suit their specific needs.”

Quarterly system of education (four periods of education per year)

Trimester system of study (three periods of study per year)

Public holidays and non-school days in South Africa in 2027

Below is a table listing all school holidays in South Africa. It includes public holidays and equivalent days (if a holiday falls on a Sunday). A special school holiday (a bridge day) is also listed.

PLEASE NOTE! In South Africa, the day off is moved to Monday if a public holiday falls on Sunday. A public holiday that falls on Saturday is not moved .

Sources and useful links

• Calendars with recommendations for independent schools (in English)
• Public holidays in South Africa (in English)
• Law on Public Holidays (PDF)
• 2026 Calendar for Public Schools (Official PDF)
• 2027 Calendar for Public Schools (Official PDF)

In this post on ALYO.info, we covered the 2026 and 2027 school holidays in South Africa. We provided the exact start and end dates for both state and independent schools. We also listed the dates of public holidays, long weekends, substitute days, and special school holidays. If you use this information on your website, be sure to include a link to this material. And be sure to share this post with your friends!