2025 Holidays - Eswatini
| Name | Weekday | Date | Type | Subdivisions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Wednesday | Jan. 1, 2025 | National | All |
| Good Friday | Friday | April 18, 2025 | National | All |
| King's Birthday | Saturday | April 19, 2025 | National | All |
| Easter Monday | Monday | April 21, 2025 | National | All |
| Flag Day | Friday | April 25, 2025 | National | All |
| Labour Day | Thursday | May 1, 2025 | National | All |
| Ascension Day | Thursday | May 29, 2025 | National | All |
| Birthday of Late King Sobhuza | Tuesday | July 22, 2025 | National | All |
| Umhlanga reed dance | Monday | Sept. 1, 2025 | National | All |
| Somhlolo Day | Saturday | Sept. 6, 2025 | National | All |
| Christmas Day | Thursday | Dec. 25, 2025 | National | All |
| Day of Goodwill | Friday | Dec. 26, 2025 | National | All |
* Estimated holiday dates
We continuously monitor and update holiday information, but there may be occasional inaccuracies.
Eswatini workweek and weekend
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workday | Workday | Workday | Workday | Workday | Weekend | Weekend |
Eswatini Public Holiday Observance Rules
1. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Sunday
- Monday Replacement: In Eswatini, if a public holiday falls on a Sunday, it is generally moved to the following Monday so that workers receive a weekday off.
- Official Calendar Guidance: The government’s official holiday calendar and decrees specify which holidays are shifted from Sunday to Monday.
- Employer Obligations: Employers are required to follow the official schedule. Employees working on the substitute Monday are entitled to overtime pay or compensatory time off according to Eswatini labor law.
2. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Saturday
- Observed on Saturday: If a public holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed on that day without an automatic shift.
- Compensation: Employees working on a Saturday holiday should receive the appropriate overtime pay or compensatory leave as mandated by local labor regulations.
3. Bridge Holidays (Long Weekends)
- No Automatic Bridging: Eswatini does not have a statutory mechanism for automatically adding extra “bridge” days to extend the holiday period.
- Employer Discretion: Additional days off or bridging arrangements may be offered by employers at their discretion, but these exceed the statutory requirements.
4. Additional Notes
- Legal Framework: Public holidays in Eswatini are established by national legislation and official government decrees. The official holiday calendar is the definitive guide.
- Staying Informed: For the most current information, consult the latest official holiday calendar and any recent updates to labor law.
- Holiday Work Compensation: Employees working on a public holiday—whether on the original date or on the substitute day—are entitled to premium pay or compensatory time off as provided by Eswatini labor law.