MAR
21 2026
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  • This year: Saturday, 21 Mar 2026
  • Next year: Sunday, 21 Mar 2027
  • Last year: Friday, 21 Mar 2025
  • Type: Public Holiday

About Human Rights Day in South Africa

Human Rights Day is a public holiday in South Africa. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.

Human Rights Day: Past and Future Observances

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Year Date Weekday Name Holiday Type
2016 Monday Human Rights Day Public Holiday
2017 Tuesday Human Rights Day Public Holiday
2018 Wednesday Human Rights Day Public Holiday
2019 Thursday Human Rights Day Public Holiday
2020 Saturday Human Rights Day Public Holiday
2021 Sunday Human Rights Day Public Holiday
2022 Monday Human Rights Day Public Holiday
2023 Tuesday Human Rights Day Public Holiday
2024 Thursday Human Rights Day Public Holiday
2025 Friday Human Rights Day Public Holiday
2026 Saturday Human Rights Day Public Holiday
2027 Sunday Human Rights Day Public Holiday
2028 Tuesday Human Rights Day Public Holiday
2029 Wednesday Human Rights Day Public Holiday
2030 Thursday Human Rights Day Public Holiday
2031 Friday Human Rights Day Public Holiday
2032 Sunday Human Rights Day Public Holiday
2033 Monday Human Rights Day Public Holiday
2034 Tuesday Human Rights Day Public Holiday
2035 Wednesday Human Rights Day Public Holiday
2036 Friday Human Rights Day Public Holiday

FAQ — Human Rights Day in South Africa

Common questions about this page — answers customized for the data shown above.

Human Rights Day is a public holiday observed in South Africa. It is classified as a Public Holiday. See the dates, history and observance details on this page, or browse all public holidays in South Africa.

This year, Human Rights Day falls on {'year': 2026, 'name': 'Human Rights Day', 'date_iso': '2026-03-21', 'date_obj': datetime.date(2026, 3, 21), 'date_display': '21 Mar 2026', 'day_of_week': 'Saturday'} in South Africa.

Next year, Human Rights Day will be observed on {'year': 2027, 'name': 'Human Rights Day', 'date_iso': '2027-03-21', 'date_obj': datetime.date(2027, 3, 21), 'date_display': '21 Mar 2027', 'day_of_week': 'Sunday'} in South Africa. Movable holidays can change weekday and date year to year.

Last year, Human Rights Day was observed on {'year': 2025, 'name': 'Human Rights Day', 'date_iso': '2025-03-21', 'date_obj': datetime.date(2025, 3, 21), 'date_display': '21 Mar 2025', 'day_of_week': 'Friday'} in South Africa.

Yes, Human Rights Day is recognized as a public holiday in South Africa. Most government offices, banks and many schools close, and some businesses may operate on reduced hours. Specific closures vary by industry and region.

You can download an iCal (.ics) file for Human Rights Day from this page and import it into Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook, or any standard calendar app. The South Africa holidays page lists every other holiday you can subscribe to the same way.

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