The 2025 academic year in South Africa is set to commence on Wednesday, 15 January 2025, and conclude on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, totaling 200 school days. In a notable change from previous years, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has confirmed that all schools, both inland and coastal, will adhere to a uniform calendar throughout the country.
Term Breakdown and School Holidays
Term 1
- Start Date: 15 January 2025
- End Date: 28 March 2025
- Public Holidays:
- New Year’s Day (1 January 2025)
- Human Rights Day (21 March 2025)
- School Holidays: 29 March – 7 April 2025
Term 2
- Start Date: 8 April 2025
- End Date: 27 June 2025
- Public Holidays:
- Good Friday (18 April 2025)
- Family Day (21 April 2025)
- Freedom Day (27 April 2025)
- Workers’ Day (1 May 2025)
- Youth Day (16 June 2025)
- School Holidays:
- Regular: 28 June – 21 July 2025
- Special: 18 June – 8 July 2025
Term 3
- Start Date: 22 July 2025
- End Date: 3 October 2025
- Public Holidays:
- National Women’s Day (9 August 2025)
- Heritage Day (24 September 2025)
- School Holidays: 6 – 10 October 2025
Term 4
- Start Date: 13 October 2025
- End Date: 10 December 2025
- Public Holidays:
- Day of Reconciliation (16 December 2025)
- Christmas Day (25 December 2025)
- Day of Goodwill (26 December 2025)
- Administration Days:
- For teachers: December 11-12, 2025
Notable Changes in Public Holidays
In accordance with the Public Holidays Act of 1994, there are additional holidays if a public holiday falls on a Sunday. For the year ahead, this includes:
- Tuesday, April 29, 2025
- Wednesday, April 30, 2025
- Friday, May 2, 2025
Complete List of Public Holidays for 2025:
- 1 January: New Year’s Day
- 21 March: Human Rights Day
- 18 April: Good Friday
- 21 April: Family Day
- 27 April: Freedom Day
- 28 April: Observed Freedom Day Holiday
- 1 May: Workers’ Day
- 16 June: Youth Day
- 9 August: National Women’s Day (observed on Saturday)
- 24 September: Heritage Day
- 16 December: Day of Reconciliation
- 25 December: Christmas Day
- 26 December: Day of Goodwill
Preparing for the Year Ahead
With a clear and structured school calendar for the upcoming year, parents and students can effectively plan for school holidays and long weekends. These dates provide clarity on school attendance and create opportunities for family vacations and other activities.
Be sure to mark these essential dates in your calendar to stay organized throughout the academic year.