Planning school activities, vacations, and family gatherings requires a clear understanding of South Africa’s school terms and public holidays. In 2025, the school year follows the Department of Basic Education’s four-term calendar, providing students and educators with structured breaks between academic sessions. This guide outlines the school terms, holiday schedules, and key public holidays in South Africa for 2025.
2025 School Terms Overview
Term 1
- Start: Wednesday, 15 January 2025
- End: Thursday, 20 March 2025
- Break: Friday, 21 March – Monday, 31 March 2025 (Autumn break)
The academic year kicks off in mid-January after the summer break. Term 1 spans approximately 10 weeks and concludes just before the Easter weekend.
Term 2
- Start: Tuesday, 1 April 2025
- End: Friday, 20 June 2025
- Break: Saturday, 21 June – Sunday, 13 July 2025 (Winter break)
Starting immediately after Easter, Term 2 lasts for 12 weeks and coincides with the arrival of winter, leading into a three-week winter break.
Term 3
- Start: Monday, 14 July 2025
- End: Friday, 26 September 2025
- Break: Saturday, 27 September – Sunday, 5 October 2025 (Spring break)
The third term, lasting about 10 weeks, transitions from winter to early spring.
Term 4
- Start: Monday, 6 October 2025
- End: Friday, 5 December 2025
- Break: Saturday, 6 December onwards (Summer break)
The final term is focused on concluding the academic year, including exams for high school students, before the long summer holidays.
2025 Public Holidays in South Africa
Public holidays in South Africa often align with school breaks, offering opportunities for relaxation and celebration. Below is a list of key public holidays for 2025:
January
- New Year’s Day: Wednesday, 1 January 2025
- Human Rights Day: Monday, 21 March 2025 (during Term 1)
April
- Good Friday: Friday, 18 April 2025 (during Term 1)
- Family Day: Monday, 21 April 2025 (during Term 1)
- Freedom Day: Sunday, 27 April 2025 (observed on Monday, 28 April 2025)
May
- Workers’ Day: Thursday, 1 May 2025
- Africa Day: Monday, 25 May 2025 (not a public holiday, but often acknowledged)
June
- Youth Day: Tuesday, 16 June 2025 (during Term 2)
August
- National Women’s Day: Saturday, 9 August 2025
September
- Heritage Day: Wednesday, 24 September 2025 (during Term 3)
December
- Day of Reconciliation: Tuesday, 16 December 2025
- Christmas Day: Thursday, 25 December 2025
- Day of Goodwill: Friday, 26 December 2025
