27 December declared as a public holiday

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared 27 December a public holiday, following two days of consecutive public holidays 

This comes after the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa in October, requesting for an additional paid Public Holiday in December 2022.

Christmas Day falls on a Sunday and Monday, 26 December, is celebrated as Day of Goodwill (Boxing Day) and already a public holiday.

Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says the president declared the 27th a public holiday, ‘’to uphold relevant labour law principles and practices.’’

"If the holiday of Sunday 25 December were to be moved to Monday 26 December, this would cancel the holiday of 26 December or cause the two holidays – which are part of 12 paid public holidays annually - to overlap.

"This would mean workers would only have 11 paid public holidays in this year, while Section 5 of the Public Holidays Act provides that ‘... every employee shall be entitled to ... at least the number of public holidays as provided for in this Act’," added Magwenya.

In 2016, then President Jacob Zuma also declared 27 December a public holiday following a request by FEDUSA

 

PICTURE: FEDUSA

Done By: Mitchum George