Local Government Elections: 4 November 2026 Declared a Public Holiday Under Section 2A of Public Holidays Act

Posted 15 September 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Labour & Employment

Brought to you by SAnews: President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared Wednesday, 4 November 2026, a nationwide public holiday under section 2A of the Public Holidays Act, No. 36 of 1994, to facilitate voting in the Local Government Elections.

In terms of section 2A of the Public Holidays Act, No. 36 of 1994, the President has formally proclaimed Wednesday, 4 November 2026, as an official public holiday across South Africa to coincide with the Local Government Elections (LGE).

The declaration triggers statutory compliance and operational provisions across employment, commercial, and electoral law:

  • Statutory holiday remuneration: The declaration brings 4 November 2026 within the remit of section 18 of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, No. 75 of 1997 (BCEA). Employees who do not work on the day are entitled to ordinary pay. Employees required to work must receive double remuneration or ordinary remuneration plus pay for hours worked, in accordance with statutory minimums or applicable bargaining council collective agreements.
  • Ward-specific voting requirements: Voters may only cast their ballots at polling stations located within the specific ward where they are registered. The Presidency confirmed that voters will not be permitted to transfer votes or cast ballots at polling stations situated outside their designated wards.
  • Operational accommodations: Employers are required to make operational arrangements that permit eligible employees to exercise their constitutional franchise, taking into account the travel time required to reach home ward polling stations.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Verify your voter registration details against your physical residential address ahead of time, as electoral regulations prohibit voting outside your designated ward on 4 November 2026.
  • For your business: Adjust November 2026 payroll processing rules and operational shift rosters to account for statutory public holiday wage calculations under section 18 of the BCEA and facilitate staff voting windows.
  • For your clients: Advise corporate clients to adjust project deliverables, service level agreements, and scheduled court or tribunal appearances to reflect the non-business day on 4 November 2026.

Originally published at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/lge-president-ramaphosa-declares-4-november-public-holiday

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