South Africa 2003
* Any Public Holidays falling on a Sunday,
the following day (Monday) shall be a Public Holiday.
Wednesday, 1 January - NEW YEAR'S DAY
Friday, 21 March - HUMAN RIGHTS' DAY
Previously known as Sharpeville Day.
The Native Laws Amendment Act of 1952 extended Government control over the movement of Africans to urban areas in the Union of South Africa and abolished the use of the Pass Book in favour of a reference book which had to be carried at all times by all Africans.
Failure to produce the reference book on demand by the police, was a punishable offence.
The PAC proposed an anti-Pass campaign to start on 21 March 1960.
All African men were to take part in the campaign without their passes and present themselves for arrest. Campaigners gathered at police stations in townships near Johannesburg where they were dispersed by police.
At the Sharpeville police station, a scuffle broke out. Part of a wire fence was trampled, allowing the crowd to move forward. The police opened fire, apparently without having been given a prior order to do so. Sixty-nine people were killed and 180 wounded.
The findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the incident proved inconclusive.
Since the events of 21 March 1960, this day has become known as Sharpeville Day and commemorated among anti-apartheid movements.
Friday, 18 April - GOOD FRIDAY
Friday before Easter Sunday. (Date is determined annually).
Monday, 21 April - FAMILY DAY
Monday after Easter Sunday. (Date is determined annually).
Sunday, 27 April - FREEDOM DAY
Commemoration of the first democratic elections held in South Africa on 27 April 1994.
Monday, 28 April - PUBLIC HOLIDAY (Freedom Day - see above)
Thursday, 1 May - WORKERS' DAY
The last major celebration of May Day in South Africa was held in the late 1940s.
The day only became a major event in the 1980s after the consolidation and development of the local trade union movement in South Africa, symbolising the political muscle of the unions in the black arena.
Monday, 16 June - YOUTH DAY
Previously known as Soweto Day.
In 1975, the main cause of protests in African schools was a directive from the previous Bantu Education Department with instructions that Afrikaans had to be used with English on an equal basis as a language of instruction in secondary schools.
By 1976, schools started to boycott the instruction.
On 16 June 1976, a protest march was planned calling for pupils to march through Soweto to the Orlando football stadium.
In the wake of clashes with the police, and the violence that ensued, hundreds of people were killed and property destroyed.
Saturday, 9 August - NATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
This day commemorates 9 August 1956 when women participating in a national march petitioned against pass laws at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Wednesday, 24 September - NATIONAL HERITAGE DAY
A neutral day to which each community in South Africa can attach its own significance and which will foster a spirit of accommodation.
Tuesday, 16 December - DAY OF RECONCILIATION
In 1838, the Zulu king, Dingane, had promised to give land to the Voortrekkers on condition Piet Retief, a Voortrekker leader, returned cattle to him stolen by Sekonyela.
This Retief did and signed a treaty with Dingane in February, but was murdered with the rest of his expedition.
In a retaliatory attack on 16 December 1838, the Voortrekkers under Andries Pretorius, defeated the Zulu King.
A Vow was taken on 9 December by Pretorius and repeated every evening until the attack occurred.
According to the Vow, the Voortrekkers would build a Church in God's honour if He should grant them victory over the Zulus.
They and their descendants would observe the day as an annual day of thanksgiving from that day onwards.
This day was previously known as the Day of the Vow and commemorated mostly by Afrikaners.
Thursday, 25 December - CHRISTMAS DAY
Friday, 26 December - DAY OF GOODWILL
A vested traditional holiday.
Botswana 2003
Wednesday, 1 January - NEW YEAR'S DAY
Thursday, 2 January - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Friday, 18 April - GOOD FRIDAY
Saturday, 19 March - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Tuesday, 1 April - EASTER MONDAY
Thursday, 1 May - LABOUR DAY
Thursday, 29 May - ASCENSION DAY
Tuesday, 1 July - SIR SERETSE KHAMA DAY
Monday, 14 July - PRESIDENT'S DAY
Tuesday, 15 July - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Tuesday, 30 September - BOTSWANA DAY
Thursday, 25 December - CHRISTMAS DAY
Friday, 26 December - BOXING DAY
Lesotho 2003
Wednesday, 1 January - NEW YEAR'S DAY
Tuesday, 11 March - MOSHESHOE DAY
Friday, 18 April - GOOD FRIDAY
Monday, 21 April - EASTER MONDAY
Friday, 4 April - HEROES' DAY
Thursday, 1 May - WORKERS' DAY
Thursday, 29 May - ASCENSION DAY
Thursday, 17 July - KING'S BIRTHDAY
Saturday, 4 October - NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY
Thursday, 25 December - CHRISTMAS DAY
Friday, 26 December - BOXING DAY
Namibia 2003
Wednesday, 1 January - NEW YEAR'S DAY
Friday, 21 March - INDEPENDENCE DAY
Friday, 18 April - GOOD FRIDAY
Sunday, 20 April - EASTER SUNDAY
Monday, 21 April - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Thursday, 1 May - WORKERS' DAY
Sunday, 4 May - CASSINGA DAY
Monday, 5 May - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Sunday, 25 May - AFRICA DAY
Monday, 26 May - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Thursday, 29 May - ASCENSION DAY
Tuesday, 26 August - HEROES' DAY
Wednesday, 10 December - INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
Thursday, 25 December - CHRISTMAS DAY
Friday, 26 December - FAMILY DAY
Swaziland 2003
Wednesday, 1 January - NEW YEAR'S DAY
Friday, 18 April - GOOD FRIDAY
Saturday, 19 April - KING'S BIRTHDAY
Monday, 21 April - EASTER MONDAY
Friday, 25 April - NATIONAL FLAG DAY
Thursday, 1 May - LABOUR DAY
Thursday, 29 May - ASCENSION DAY
Tuesday, 22 July - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
To Be Announced - UMHLANGA REED DANCE
Saturday, 6 September - SOMHLOLO DAY
To be Announced - INCWALA DAY
Thursday, 25 December - CHRISTMAS DAY
Friday, 26 December - BOXING DAY
Zambia 2003
Wednesday, 1 January - NEW YEAR'S DAY
Wednesday, 12 March - YOUTH DAY
Friday, 18 April - GOOD FRIDAY
Saturday, 19 April - HOLY SATURDAY
Monday, 21 April - EASTER MONDAY
Thursday, 1 May - LABOUR DAY
Sunday, 25 May - AFRICA FREEEDOM DAY
Monday, 7 July - HEROES' DAY
Tuesday, 8 July - UNITY DAY
Monday, 4 August - FARMERS' DAY
Friday, 24 October - INDEPENDENCE DAY
Thursday, 25 December - CHRISTMAS DAY
Zimbabwe 2003
Wednesday, 1 January - NEW YEAR'S DAY
Friday, 18 April - GOOD FRIDAY
Friday, 18 April - INDEPENDENCE DAY
Saturday, 19 April - EASTER SATURDAY
Monday, 21 April - EASTER MONDAY
Thursday, 1 May - WORKER'S DAY
Sunday, 25 May - AFRICA DAY
Monday, 11 August - HEROES' DAY
Tuesday, 12 August - DEFENCE FORCES' DAY
Monday, 22 December - NATIONAL UNITY DAY
Thursday, 25 December - CHRISTMAS DAY
Friday, 26 December - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS - 2004
South Africa 2004
* Any Public Holidays falling on a Sunday,
the following day (Monday) shall be a Public Holiday.
Thursday, 1 January - NEW YEAR'S DAY
Sunday, 21 March - HUMAN RIGHTS' DAY
Previously known as Sharpeville Day.
The Native Laws Amendment Act of 1952 extended Government control over the movement of Africans to urban areas in the Union of South Africa and abolished the use of the Pass Book in favour of a reference book which had to be carried at all times by all Africans.
Failure to produce the reference book on demand by the police, was a punishable offence.
The PAC proposed an anti-Pass campaign to start on 21 March 1960.
All African men were to take part in the campaign without their passes and present themselves for arrest. Campaigners gathered at police stations in townships near Johannesburg where they were dispersed by police.
At the Sharpeville police station, a scuffle broke out. Part of a wire fence was trampled, allowing the crowd to move forward. The police opened fire, apparently without having been given a prior order to do so. Sixty-nine people were killed and 180 wounded.
The findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the incident proved inconclusive.
Since the events of 21 March 1960, this day has become known as Sharpeville Day and commemorated among anti-apartheid movements.
Friday, 9 April - GOOD FRIDAY
Friday before Easter Sunday. (Date is determined annually).
Monday, 12 April - FAMILY DAY
Monday after Easter Sunday. (Date is determined annually).
Tuesday, 27 April - FREEDOM DAY
Commemoration of the first democratic elections held in South Africa on 27 April 1994.
Saturday, 1 May - WORKERS' DAY
The last major celebration of May Day in South Africa was held in the late 1940s.
The day only became a major event in the 1980s after the consolidation and development of the local trade union movement in South Africa, symbolising the political muscle of the unions in the black arena.
Wednesday, 16 June - YOUTH DAY
Previously known as Soweto Day.
In 1975, the main cause of protests in African schools was a directive from the previous Bantu Education Department with instructions that Afrikaans had to be used with English on an equal basis as a language of instruction in secondary schools.
By 1976, schools started to boycott the instruction.
On 16 June 1976, a protest march was planned calling for pupils to march through Soweto to the Orlando football stadium.
In the wake of clashes with the police, and the violence that ensued, hundreds of people were killed and property destroyed.
Monday, 9 August - NATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
This day commemorates 9 August 1956 when women participating in a national march petitioned against pass laws at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Friday, 24 September - NATIONAL HERITAGE DAY
A neutral day to which each community in South Africa can attach its own significance and which will foster a spirit of accommodation.
Thursday, 16 December - DAY OF RECONCILIATION
In 1838, the Zulu king, Dingane, had promised to give land to the Voortrekkers on condition Piet Retief, a Voortrekker leader, returned cattle to him stolen by Sekonyela.
This Retief did and signed a treaty with Dingane in February, but was murdered with the rest of his expedition.
In a retaliatory attack on 16 December 1838, the Voortrekkers under Andries Pretorius, defeated the Zulu King.
A Vow was taken on 9 December by Pretorius and repeated every evening until the attack occurred.
According to the Vow, the Voortrekkers would build a Church in God's honour if He should grant them victory over the Zulus.
They and their descendants would observe the day as an annual day of thanksgiving from that day onwards.
This day was previously known as the Day of the Vow and commemorated mostly by Afrikaners.
Saturday, 25 December - CHRISTMAS DAY
Sunday, 26 December - DAY OF GOODWILL
A vested traditional holiday.
Botswana 2004
Thursday, 1 January - NEW YEAR'S DAY
Friday, 2 January - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Friday, 9 April - GOOD FRIDAY
Saturday, 10 April - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Monday, 12 April - EASTER MONDAY
Saturday, 1 May - LABOUR DAY
Thursday, 20 May - ASCENSION DAY
Thursday, 1 July - SIR SERETSE KHAMA DAY
Monday, 19 July - PRESIDENT'S DAY
Tuesday, 20 July - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Thursday, 30 September - BOTSWANA DAY
Friday, 1 October - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Saturday, 25 December - CHRISTMAS DAY
Sunday, 26 December - BOXING DAY
Lesotho 2004
Thursday, 1 January - NEW YEAR'S DAY
Thursday, 11 March - MOSHESHOE DAY
Sunday, 4 April - HEROES' DAY
Friday, 9 April - GOOD FRIDAY
Monday, 12 April - EASTER MONDAY
Saturday, 1 May - WORKERS' DAY
Thursday, 20 May - ASCENSION DAY
Saturday, 17 July - KING'S BIRTHDAY
Monday, 4 October - NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY
Saturday, 25 December - CHRISTMAS DAY
Sunday, 26 December - BOXING DAY
Namibia 2004
Thursday, 1 January - NEW YEAR'S DAY
Sunday, 21 March - INDEPENDENCE DAY
Monday, 22 March - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Friday, 9 April - GOOD FRIDAY
Sunday, 11 April - EASTER SUNDAY
Monday, 12 April - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Saturday, 1 May - WORKERS' DAY
Tuesday, 4 May - CASSINGA DAY
Thursday, 20 May - ASCENSION DAY
Tuesday, 25 May - AFRICA DAY
Thursday, 26 August - HEROES' DAY
Friday, 10 December - INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS' DAY
Saturday, 25 December - CHRISTMAS DAY
Sunday, 26 December - FAMILY DAY
Monday, 27 December - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Swaziland 2004
Thursday, 1 January - NEW YEAR'S DAY
Friday, 9 April - GOOD FRIDAY
Monday, 12 April - EASTER MONDAY
Monday, 19 April - KING'S BIRTHDAY
Sunday, 25 April - NATIONAL FLAG DAY
Saturday, 1 May - LABOUR DAY
Thursday, 20 May - ASCENSION DAY
Thursday, 22 July - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
To Be Announced - UMHLANGA REED DANCE
Monday, 6 September - SOMHLOLO DAY
To be Announced - INCWALA DAY
Saturday, 25 December - CHRISTMAS DAY
Sunday, 26 December - BOXING DAY
Zambia 2004
Thursday, 1 January - NEW YEAR'S DAY
Friday, 12 March - YOUTH DAY
Friday, 9 April - GOOD FRIDAY
Saturday, 10 April - HOLY SATURDAY
Monday, 12 April - EASTER MONDAY
Saturday, 1 May - LABOUR DAY
Tuesday, 25 May - AFRICA FREEEDOM DAY
Monday, 5 July - HEROES' DAY
Tuesday, 6 July - UNITY DAY
Monday, 2 August - FARMERS' DAY
Sunday, 24 October - INDEPENDENCE DAY
Saturday, 25 December - CHRISTMAS DAY
Zimbabwe 2004
Thursday, 1 January - NEW YEAR'S DAY
Friday, 9 April - GOOD FRIDAY
Saturday, 10 April - EASTER SATURDAY
Monday, 12 April - EASTER MONDAY
Sunday, 18 April - INDEPENDENCE DAY
Saturday, 1 May - WORKER'S DAY
Tuesday, 25 May - AFRICA DAY
Wednesday, 11 August - HEROES' DAY
Thursday, 12 August - DEFENCE FORCES' NATIONAL DAY
Wednesday, 22 December - NATIONAL UNITY DAY
Saturday, 25 December - CHRISTMAS DAY
Sunday, 26 December - FAMILY DAY
This information is correct at time of going online and
is subject to any changes that may occur.
We are not responsible for any omissions or errors.
If you know of any changes or corrections, please e-mail us.
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