South Africa has two different school calendars – for the government schools which breaks the year into four terms, and for the private schools which breaks the year into three or four terms. The vast majority attend government schools, so traffic at holiday destinations is busiest when they are on holiday. All schools are on holiday during Christmas and New Year which is the longest holiday break, being summer. For visitors wishing to visit South Africa in summer, and who want to miss the holiday rush, November or January, from the school opening date onwards is perfect.
Government Schools 2023 School Terms:
All nine provinces have the same school calendar for 2023.
Inland Cluster:
A breakdown of School Calendar Days for Public Schools
Dates and days in brackets ( ) are applicable to educators.
Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West Provinces
| Duration | Number of Weeks | Number of Days | Number Of Public Holidays |
The Actual number of School Days |
| (9) 11 January – 24 March | 11 | 53 (55) | 1+1 | 51(53) |
| 12 April – 23 June | 11 | 53 | 3+1 | 49 |
| 18 July – 29 September | 11 | 54 | 2 | 52 |
| 10 October – 13 December (15) December | 10 | 47 (49) | 0 | 47 (49) |
| Total | 43 | 207 (211) | 6+2 | 199 (203) |
Coastal Cluster:
A breakdown of School Calendar Days for Public Schools
Dates and days in brackets ( ) are applicable to educators.
Eastern Cape, Kwazulu-Natal, Northern Cape, and Western Cape Provinces
| Duration | Number of Weeks | Number of Days | Number Of Public Holidays |
The Actual number of School Days |
| (16) 18 January – 31 March | 11 | 53 (55) | 1+1 | 51(53) |
| 12 April – 23 June | 11 | 53 | 3+1 | 49 |
| 18 July – 29 September | 11 | 54 | 2 | 52 |
| 10 October – 13 December (15) December | 10 | 47 (49) | 0 | 47 (49) |
| Total | 43 | 207 (211) | 6+2 | 199 (203) |
Public and School Holidays 2023
| 01 January | New Year’s Day | 01 May | Workers’ Day |
| 02 January | Public Holiday | 16 June | Youth Day |
| 20 March | Special School Holiday | 09 August | National Women’s Day |
| 21 March | Human Rights Day | 24 September | Heritage Day |
| 07 April | Good Friday | 25 September | Public Holiday |
| 10 April | Family Day | 16 December | Day of Reconciliation |
| 27 April | Freedom Day | 25 December | Christmas Day |
| 28 April | Special School Holiday | 26 December | Day of Goodwill |
Source: South African Government Website
School Terms for Independent Schools in South Africa 2023
Please note: Only Public Holidays falling during term time are shown on this calendar.
Also, note that this calendar is only a guideline. Central Region member schools are not required to follow these dates and individual schools may vary their calendars to cater for specific requirements.
There are no universal term dates or calendars that apply to all independent schools in South Africa.
Many independent schools follow the public school calendar, while others follow the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA) calendar.
Some independent schools follow their own specific calendars.
The calendar committee of the ISASA Central Region (Gauteng, Free State, North West, and Northern Cape) publishes a Central Region Calendar as a guideline for member schools in the region. ISASA member schools in Central Region are not required to follow this calendar, although many do.
Dates may vary slightly in different provinces and for different schools. Check with your school.
Source – Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA)
4 TERM CALENDAR |
Term 1 (48 days) |
|||
| Start | Wednesday 11 January | Close | Friday 17 March |
| Term 2 (49 days) | |
| Start | Wednesday 12 April |
| Close | Friday 23 June |
| Public Holidays | Thursday 27 April (Freedom Day) |
| Friday 28 April (School holiday) | |
| Monday 1 May (Workers’ Day) | |
| Friday 16 June (Youth Day) | |
|
Term 3 (48 days) |
|
| Tuesday 18 July | |
| Friday 22 September | |
| Wednesday 9 August (Women’s Day) | |
|
Term 4 (42 days) |
|
| Start | Tuesday 10 October |
| Close | Wednesday 6 December |
| Total 187 days and 8 Saturdays |
| 3 TERM CALENDAR |
| Term 1 (58 days) | ||
| Start | Wednesday 11 January | |
| Close | Thursday 6 April | |
| Half Term | Close | Thursday 23 February (12h00) |
| Return | Tuesday 28 February | |
| Public Holidays | Monday 20 March (School holiday) | |
| Tuesday 21 March (Human Rights Day) | ||
| Term 2 (64 days) | ||
| Start | Wednesday 3 May | |
| Close | Tuesday 8 August | |
| Half Term | Close | Friday 23 June (normal time) |
| Return | Monday 3 July | |
| Public Holidays | Friday 16 June (Youth Day) | |
| Term 3 (63 days) | ||
| Start | Wednesday 6 September | |
| Close | Wednesday 6 December | |
| Half Term | Close | Thursday 26 October (12h00) |
| Return | Tuesday 31 October | |
| Total 185 days and 8 Saturdays |
Downloads:
- Download this ISASA School Terms and Calendar 2023 (Pdf)
- Download Public School Terms for 2023 (Pdf)
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