Day of Goodwill in South Africa
South Africa observes the Day of Goodwill on 26 December, the day after Christmas. It is a national public holiday under the Public Holidays Act, which sets out the date, employee entitlements and the rule for a holiday that falls on a Sunday.[1]
Date and legal status
The Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994 lists the Day of Goodwill as a public holiday on 26 December. The Act provides for public holidays to be paid holidays and took effect on 1 January 1995.[1]
If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is also a public holiday. The Act also allows a public holiday to be exchanged for another day by agreement between an employer and employee.[1]
The Basic Conditions of Employment Act says an employer may require an employee to work on a public holiday only by agreement. If an employee who would ordinarily work that day does not work, the employer must pay at least the wage they would normally receive; different minimum payment rules apply when the employee works.[4]
Name and meaning
The name has a history in South African law. The Dictionary of South African English records that a 1980 amendment replaced the words “Boxing Day” with “Day of Goodwill” in the Public Holidays Act then in force.[2] The 1994 Act carried the name into the current public-holiday calendar.[1]
A 1980 parliamentary debate described the intended purpose of Goodwill Day as encouraging goodwill among all people in South Africa. That records the stated aim behind the name; it does not establish that everyone observes the day in the same way.[3]
How people observe it
The name expresses an idea of goodwill. A 1980 parliamentary debate described the intended purpose of Goodwill Day as encouraging goodwill among all people in South Africa.[3]
Practical arrangements
The public-holiday laws establish employment and pay protections, but they do not set opening hours for shops, banks, government counters or public transport. Check with a specific office, business or transport operator before travelling.[1][4]
Frequently asked questions
When is the Day of Goodwill?
It is observed every year on 26 December, according to the Public Holidays Act.[1]
Is it a public holiday across South Africa?
Yes. The Public Holidays Act lists it as a public holiday and provides that public holidays are paid holidays.[1]
Do employees have to work on the Day of Goodwill?
An employer may require an employee to work on a public holiday only in accordance with an agreement. The law also sets minimum pay rules for employees who work or do not work that day.[4]
Are shops, banks and public transport open?
What happens when 26 December falls on a Sunday?
The Public Holidays Act says the following Monday is also a public holiday.[1]
Sources and references
Sources used for Day of Goodwill in South Africa:
- Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994- South African Government
- Day of Goodwill, noun phrase- Dictionary Unit for South African English
- ZA HANSARDS | Historical Debates of the Parliament of South Africa- Parliament of South Africa
- Basic Conditions of Employment Act- Department of Employment and Labour