The reason for this post is tomorrow we have a Public Holiday (Freedom Day) and again this coming Friday being May Day or Workers Day. Growing up I can recall it was more a communist type thing with May Day celebrations showing Russia's military power with a parade at the Kremlin in Moscow. May Day in South Africa when I was younger was more about political violence with rioting taking place and was never a holiday. Mayday for me was all about communism and why it is not a Public Holiday I think should be celebrated unless your country is communist. Same as the UK this was never celebrated and only became a holiday in South Africa once we had the 1994 elections which took place tomorrow 32 years ago hence the Freedom Day public holiday. South Africa is in many ways quite communistic in their policies and there thought process.
I was taking a look at which countries have the most public holidays as I honestly detest them that much because they mess up my working week. Next week like three weeks ago due to Easter I have a 3 day week and very little gets done as most decision makers are absent.
I do not begrudge people time of but once you add the 21 days most employees receive as leave and add an additional 12 days of Public Holidays you are at 33 days or close to 5 weeks of paid leave. For me it is all about productivity and days off and productivity are not exactly working hand in hand.
Looking at the list I would stab at a guess these countries have more religious holidays than symbolic dates that were historic for that particular country for whatever reason. Lichtenstein stood out for me being in Europe and it turns out these are mainly religious Catholic holidays with all businesses and shops closed. This does seem excessive even though I do respect tradition and religion.
Maybe the 12 Public Holidays South Africa has is not that excessive considering what other countries are experiencing like Nepal with 35 which again must be religion based. I read up that Nepal has a work week of 6 days per week with Saturday being the day off so then the 35 Public Holidays makes far more sense knowing that they are working more days than most other countries. I never knew this and find it interesting that only in April 2026 has the Nepal Government granted a two day weekend for government offices and schooling to help reduce fuel consumption.
One of our public holidays in South Africa has changed over the years due to what it represented and understandably so depending on what side you are on. I am talking about December the 16th which commemorated the battle of Blood River. The 470 Afrikaners defended their position against 10-20 000 Zulu warriors and believed this to be divine intervention and hence the Public Holiday. These days it has been changed as it was thought to be too divisive and is now known as the Day of Reconciliation with the emphasis not about the battle and more about peace between all cultures.
When you start to dig into some of these Public Holidays they actually represent far more and tell a historical story of what has taken place. This I do think is important to always remember and never forget as what took place reshaped the future.
