Family Day in Botswana
Boxing Day is listed as a public holiday in Botswana and is observed on 26 December, with rules for when it falls on a Sunday or Monday.[1][2]
The official name and legal status
Botswana’s Public Holidays Act, 2006 names Boxing Day in its schedule of public holidays. The government’s public holiday list also identifies 26 December as Boxing Day.[1][2]
The Act establishes Boxing Day as a public holiday within Botswana. It does not explain a special family-centred meaning, describe how people observe the day, or give an origin for the name.[2]
When the day is observed
The scheduled holiday is 26 December, the day after Christmas Day. Under the Act, when a scheduled public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed as a public holiday. If Boxing Day falls on a Monday, the following Tuesday is observed instead.[1][2]
The Sunday rule applies to Boxing Day as a scheduled holiday; the Act does not limit it to years when Christmas Day or Boxing Day follows a particular weekday. The Act separately provides a Monday-to-Tuesday shift for Boxing Day when it falls on Monday. It gives a Saturday-to-Monday rule for Botswana Day, but not a general substitute day for every holiday falling on Saturday.[2]
Work and practical arrangements
The Act also says that, for laws concerning bills of exchange and promissory notes, Sunday and a day named or appointed as a public holiday are treated as non-business days. This is a specific legal effect; the provision does not establish the opening hours of shops, banks, transport services, or government offices.[2]
The Act makes an exception for the mining industry: only Christmas Day, Good Friday, and Botswana Day are public holidays there under this Act. It does not state that Boxing Day is a public holiday in that industry. Elsewhere, the Act establishes the public-holiday status of Boxing Day, but check with the relevant service about opening arrangements.[2]
Family Day in Botswana: FAQs
Is it a public holiday?
Yes. The Public Holidays Act names Boxing Day as a public holiday within Botswana. The Act makes a special exception for the mining industry, where only Christmas Day, Good Friday, and Botswana Day are public holidays under that law.[2]
What happens when 26 December falls on a Sunday or Monday?
If a scheduled holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday is observed. If Boxing Day falls on Monday, the following Tuesday is observed.[2]
Sources and references
Sources used for Family Day in Botswana:
- public holidays- Government of Botswana
- PUBLIC HOLIDAYS ACT, 2006- Parliament of Botswana