Public Holiday Calendar Guide for Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has a nationwide system of public holidays covering civic, historical, religious and regional African observances. The legal calendar is established through the Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act, while additional public holidays may be declared by presidential statutory instrument. Employment law separately sets minimum rights for employees who would normally work on these days.[1][2]
How Zimbabwe's Public Holiday System Works
The Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act establishes Zimbabwe's core public holidays and gives the President authority to declare additional days as public holidays by statutory instrument.[1] The government also publishes official calendar notices setting out the applicable holiday schedule, so these notices are the best reference when planning for a particular year.[3]
Zimbabwe's calendar combines New Year and Christmas-period holidays with Easter observances, Workers' Day, Africa Day and national commemorations including Independence Day, Heroes' Day, Defence Forces National Day and National Unity Day.[1] Munhumutapa Day has also been established by statutory instrument as a recurring public holiday.[4]
Sunday Holidays and Substitute Days
Zimbabwe has a statutory substitution rule for public holidays that fall on a Sunday: the following Monday becomes a public holiday. The Act also contains a separate rule for the public holiday following Christmas when it falls on a Monday, in which case the following Tuesday is also a public holiday.[1]
These rules can produce consecutive non-working days around some holidays. Because the exact weekday pattern changes from year to year and additional holidays can be proclaimed, travelers and businesses should rely on the relevant official calendar rather than assuming that a familiar annual schedule will always apply.[1][3]
Public Holidays and Employee Pay
The Labour Act gives employees a leave entitlement for every public holiday. When a public holiday falls on a day on which an employee would otherwise have been required to work, the employee is entitled to current remuneration for that day.[2]
Working on a public holiday is treated differently from an ordinary working day. Where an employee consents to work, the Labour Act requires payment of at least twice the employee's current remuneration for that day. Employment contracts, collective bargaining agreements or sector-specific rules may provide more favourable terms.[2]
Business, Banking and Practical Planning
A public holiday should not be interpreted as an automatic legal requirement for every private business in Zimbabwe to close. The public-holidays legislation distinguishes the declaration of a public holiday from the separate power to prohibit specified business activity or close specified institutions or premises on particular days.[1] Opening arrangements can therefore differ between employers, shops, hospitality businesses and other services.
Banking schedules deserve particular attention. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe states that its RTGS operating service is closed on public holidays.[5] Anyone with a time-sensitive bank transfer, government transaction, appointment or business deadline should therefore check the relevant institution's operating arrangements in advance rather than assuming normal weekday service.
National and Religious Observances
Zimbabwe's holiday calendar reflects several strands of public life. Independence Day, Heroes' Day, Defence Forces National Day and National Unity Day form part of the country's civic and historical calendar, while Workers' Day and Africa Day connect Zimbabwe with wider labour and continental observances. Easter and the Christmas period account for the principal Christian holidays in the statutory calendar.[1]
The Easter period is especially important for scheduling because Zimbabwe's statutory calendar recognises several days around Easter rather than only Good Friday or Easter Monday. Their calendar positions move with Easter, so the official annual schedule should be checked when arranging travel, staffing or appointments.[1][3]
Frequently Asked Questions about Public Holidays in Zimbabwe
What happens when a public holiday falls on a Sunday in Zimbabwe?
The Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act provides that when a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is also a public holiday.[1]
Do employees have to be paid for public holidays?
An employee who would normally have been required to work is entitled to leave on the public holiday with current remuneration. If the employee consents to work on the public holiday, the Labour Act requires payment of at least twice the employee's current remuneration for that day.[2]
Must every private business close on a public holiday?
Not simply because the day is a public holiday. The legislation separately allows the President to prohibit specified business activity or require specified institutions or premises to close on particular days. Individual businesses may therefore have different holiday opening arrangements unless a specific legal restriction applies.[1]
Can Zimbabwe add extra public holidays?
Yes. The President may declare an additional public holiday by statutory instrument under the public-holidays legislation.[1] This mechanism has also been used to establish Munhumutapa Day as a recurring public holiday.[4]
Are banking services available on public holidays?
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe lists its RTGS operating service as closed on public holidays.[5] Customers should check directly with their commercial bank for branch, digital-service and transaction arrangements because these can differ by service.
Sources
- Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act- Zimbabwe Legal Information Institute (ZimLII)
- Labour Act- Zimbabwe Legal Information Institute (ZimLII)
- GN 2025-1361 Public Holidays in 2026- Veritas Zimbabwe
- SI 2026-148 Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business (Declaration of Public Holiday) Notice, 2026- Veritas Zimbabwe
- HOME- Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe