South African schools give learners a full week off as overlapping holidays lead to unexpected April break across the country

For many South African families, the end of April brought a welcome surprise — an unexpected full week off school.

With a unique combo of public holidays and school-specific closures, learners across the country found themselves enjoying a break they didn’t see coming.

The time off started on 28 April, thanks to the Freedom Day public holiday, and stretched all the way through 2 May, with Workers’ Day landing neatly in the middle.

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) confirmed that 29 April, 30 April, and 2 May would also be observed as school holidays.

That essentially gave students a full week to unwind — and teachers a moment to catch their breath too.

Why April Became the Ideal Time for a Breather

This mini-break wasn’t a fluke. Elijah Mhlanga, spokesperson for the DBE, explained in a CapeTalk interview that the decision was very intentional.

With several public holidays clumped closely together — plus religious observances happening around the same time — keeping schools open just wasn’t practical.

“These holidays are congested in a particular week, with one coming after the other, making it impossible for schools to remain open for an extended period,” Mhlanga noted.

The DBE worked with various groups — including the Department of Transport, NGOs, and religious leaders — to shape a school calendar that worked for everyone and didn’t add unnecessary stress.

June School Holidays: Here’s When to Mark Your Calendar

Now that April’s unexpected break is winding down, many families are looking ahead to the official June school holidays.

According to the DBE’s calendar for 2025, schools will close again on Friday, 27 June, marking the end of Term 2.

Learners will then be on holiday from Saturday, 28 June, giving them a chance to relax and reset before Term 3 starts on 22 July.

Here’s a quick overview of the 2025 school term dates:

• Term 1: 15 January – 28 March

• Term 2: 8 April – 27 June

• Term 3: 22 July – 3 October

• Term 4: 13 October – 10 December

A Chance to Rest, Travel, and Recharge

Parents, students, and teachers alike are making the most of these well-timed breaks. For some, it’s a rare chance to travel or reconnect with family.

For others, it’s simply time to breathe before school life gets hectic again.

Whether you’re heading out of town or just catching up on sleep at home, these breaks offer something many desperately need — a pause.

And in a busy academic year like 2025, every bit of rest counts.