How to turn your 15 annual leave days into 44 days out of the office

By taking your annual leave around these public holidays you can make the most of your time off work

14 January 2023 - 10:11
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A bit of clever planning can make your annual leave go a long way. Stock photo.
A bit of clever planning can make your annual leave go a long way. Stock photo.
Image: nanastudio/123RF

Back at work and already planning your next break from the office? You’re likely not alone. As soon as the great migration back to the office begins, many people start looking forward to the spate of public holidays which starts in March.

With a bit of clever manoeuvring you can use South Africa's public holidays to work in your favour. Here are some ideas:

Human Rights Day (March 21)

  • Take off: Friday March 17 and Monday March 20
  • Days off: Five

Easter Weekend (April 7-10)

  • Take off: April 11-14
  • Days off: 10

Freedom Day (April 27) and Worker’s Day (May 1)

  • Take off: Friday April 28
  • Days off: Five

Youth Day (June 16)

  • Take off:  June 19-20
  • Days off: Five

Women’s Day (August 9)

  • Take off: August 7-8
  • Days off: Five

Heritage Day (September 24)

  • Take off: Friday September 22
  • Days off: Four

Christmas (December 25 and 26) and New Year’s Day (January 1)

  • Take off: December 27-29
  • Days off: 10

Keep in mind:

The Day of Reconciliation (December 16) falls on a Saturday and doesn’t prove to be of much use in extending your annual leave. But if you decide to forego five days of annual leave during the year to take over December, you can put in eight days from December 18-22 and December 27-29 and have a total of 17 days off over the festive season.

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