Holidays

Holidays in South Africa

For a long time, the black population of South Africa had to suffer from oppression by the white minority. Many holidays commemorate this time of injustice.

Overview

New Year’s Day – January 1

Human Rights Day – March 21

Charity Friday – Flexible

Easter Monday – Flexible

Freedom Day – April 27

Labor Day – May 01

Youth Day – June 16

National Women’s Day – August 09

Heritage Day – September 24

Day of Reconciliation (Day of Reconciliation) – December 16

Christmas – December 25

Christmas Day – December 26

Worth knowing about selected holidays

Human Rights Day

This day is to commemorate the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960. In protest against discriminatory passport laws of the apartheid regime, between 5,000 and 7,000 blacks without passports marched to a police station. The aim of the action was to be arrested in order to draw attention to the abuses. A police officer gave the command to shoot at the demonstrators. Sixty-nine people died in the massacre.

South Africa’s politicians use this day to recall the atrocities of apartheid in public speeches before an audience of thousands. But they also don’t fail to point out the achievements that the new South Africa has already made.

Freedom Day

April 27, 1994 was a great day in the history of South Africa. For the first time, the entire South African people were allowed to determine a government in free and secret elections. This milestone in South African history is celebrated by the people with exuberant dancing in the streets decorated with national flags. The president addresses the nation. Traditionally, there are also high-profile concerts across the country on Freedom Day.

Youth Day

This holiday also has a sad background. Black students protested against the introduction of Afrikaans as a compulsory language of instruction on June 16, 1976. Afrikaans was the language of the white minority, which was not spoken by most blacks. Many students felt that their educational opportunities were being massively compromised. The police put down the demonstration in a bloody manner. Hector Pieterson, a twelve-year-old student, was shot and killed by police during the demonstration. At least 700 people, mostly teenagers, died in riots in the weeks that followed.

Today, South Africans are making sure that this period of barbarism is not forgotten with rallies and demonstrations.

Christmas

In the middle of South Africa’s mid-summer, Christmas begins. But many South Africans do not do without Christmas decorations on their houses, despite 30°C in the shade. The black part of the population sees Christmas more as a kind of carnival. Extensive carousing, followed by dances in colourful costumes, offer a charming contrast to our contemplation. If you are in the mood for something familiar, you should stay in a guesthouse run by white people during the festive season. Here the stockings still hang over the fireplace and on the 01 Christmas Day the Bescherung takes place.