South African important dates and deadlines in 2026
Every South African deadline Find SA Status tracks for 2026 - school terms, public holidays, tax dates, grant payments, exams, elections and licensing - grouped by month with official sources.
67 dated records for 2026, of which 67 are still current. Each one shows the official source, the date we last verified it and the date we will check it again.
Last reviewed 2026-10-13 · next scheduled review 2026-10-14
January 2026
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To be announced
Confirmed Date not yet announcedCIPC annual returns - due on the anniversary of incorporation
Every company and close corporation registered with the CIPC must file an annual return within 30 business days of the anniversary of its incorporation date. The return is filed on the CIPC e-services portal. Filing late moves the company to 'annual return outstanding' status, and continued non-compliance leads to deregistration. Directors are personally affected because a deregistered company cannot trade, open a bank account or hold a contract.
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To be announced
Confirmed Date not yet announcedCIPC beneficial ownership filing - filed with the annual return
Since 2023, companies must file a beneficial ownership declaration alongside their annual return. The declaration identifies the natural persons who ultimately own or control the company. Companies that file an annual return without the beneficial ownership declaration have the return rejected.
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To be announced
Confirmed Date not yet announcedUIF monthly declaration and payment - by the 7th of the following month
Employers must declare their employees to the Unemployment Insurance Fund and pay contributions monthly. The UIF contribution is 2% of earnings - 1% from the employer and 1% from the employee - on earnings up to the published monthly ceiling. Declarations are submitted through uFiling, and the payment deadline aligns with the EMP201 deadline of the 7th of the following month.
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To be announced
Confirmed Date not yet announcedB-BBEE sworn affidavit - annual renewal for EMEs and QSEs
An Exempted Micro-Enterprise with an annual turnover below R10 million can claim a B-BBEE status level using a sworn affidavit rather than a verified certificate. The affidavit must be signed before a Commissioner of Oaths and is valid for twelve months from the date of signing. Businesses that let an affidavit lapse lose their B-BBEE status for tendering purposes immediately, which is the single most common avoidable disqualification in South African public tenders.
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To be announced
Confirmed Date not yet announcedVAT Category A tax period ends - January, March, May, July, September, November
Vendors on the standard VAT Category A cycle have bi-monthly tax periods ending on the last day of January, March, May, July, September and November. A VAT201 return and payment are then due by the last business day of the following month, which gives Category A vendors roughly 30 days. Category B covers the alternate months. Most vendors with taxable supplies above R30 million are placed on the monthly Category C cycle.
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To be announced
Confirmed Date not yet announcedVoter registration is open year-round at IEC offices
You do not have to wait for a registration weekend. South African citizens aged 16 and older can register to vote at any IEC local office during office hours, and only need a green barcoded ID book, a smart ID card or a valid temporary identity certificate. Citizens aged 16 and 17 can register but may only vote once they turn 18.
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Thu 1 Jan 2026
Confirmed 287 days agoNew Year's Day 2026
New Year's Day is a statutory public holiday across South Africa. It fell on a Thursday in 2026. Government offices, banks, schools and most businesses were closed; most shopping malls and many retailers traded normal or reduced hours.
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To be announced
Confirmed Date not yet announcedRecurring EMP201 PAYE/UIF/SDL deadline - 7th of each month
Employers must submit an EMP201 return and pay over employees' tax, UIF and SDL contributions by the 7th of the month following the month in which the remuneration was paid. When the 7th falls on a weekend or public holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day. Late payment attracts a 10% penalty plus interest.
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To be announced
Confirmed Date not yet announcedRecurring VAT201 return and payment deadline - bi-monthly and monthly vendors
Vendors on the standard bi-monthly cycle must submit a VAT201 return and pay the VAT due by the last business day of the month following the end of the tax period. Vendors with taxable supplies above R30 million are placed on the monthly cycle. Where the last day of the month falls on a weekend or public holiday, the deadline moves to the preceding business day. The standard VAT rate is 15%.
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To be announced
Confirmed Date not yet announcedVehicle licence renewal - 21-day grace period after expiry
South African vehicle licence discs are valid for twelve months from the date of issue or from the expiry date of the previous disc where renewed within the renewal window. The issuing authority sends an MVL2 renewal notice by post or email roughly six to eight weeks before expiry. A 21-day grace period applies after the expiry date, after which the licence is overdue and penalties accumulate by month for the period the vehicle was unlicensed.
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To be announced
Confirmed Date not yet announcedVehicle licence renewal window opens - 2 months before expiry
You can renew a vehicle licence disc up to two months before the expiry date without losing any part of the twelve-month period. Renewing early is usually cheaper and faster because it avoids the penalty calculation and avoids the queues that build in the last week of every month at busy registering authorities.
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To be announced
Confirmed Date not yet announcedDriver's licence card collection - 120 days to collect after approval
Once a driving licence card is produced, the licence holder is required to collect it within 120 days of the card being issued to the driving licence card account. Cards not collected within that period are destroyed. This is a frequent and expensive trap: many people assume the card is being held indefinitely and only discover it has been destroyed when they are asked to apply again and repay.
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To be announced
Confirmed Date not yet announcedTraffic fine payment window and discounted-payment option
Where a notice is issued for an infringement and paid within 32 days, some issuing authorities allow a reduced admission-of-guilt amount. After that window the full amount applies, and an unpaid fine is referred for a warrant or a summons. Early payment options differ between AARTO-operational areas and non-AARTO provinces, which is why a fine that offers a discount in Gauteng may not offer one in the Western Cape.
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To be announced
Confirmed Date not yet announcedCertificate of roadworthiness validity - 12 months
A certificate of roadworthiness is valid for twelve months from the date of issue. It is required when a vehicle changes ownership, when a vehicle is re-registered after a change of engine or chassis, and for certain classes of vehicle on a recurring basis. A roadworthy certificate is issued by an accredited testing station, not by the licensing department itself.
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To be announced
Proposed Date not yet announced2026 Municipal (Local Government) Elections
South Africa's municipal elections are held every five years. The previous municipal elections were held on 1 November 2021, which means the next ordinary municipal elections are constitutionally due by early November 2026. The exact polling date is proclaimed by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and published in the Government Gazette. At the time this record was last verified, no proclamation date for the 2026 municipal elections had been published in a form Find SA Status could confirm, so no date is shown.
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To be announced
Proposed Date not yet announcedVoter registration weekend ahead of the next election
The IEC holds national voter registration weekends before major elections, when all voting stations open on a Saturday and Sunday for new registrations and address updates. Registration is also possible at a local IEC office on weekdays throughout the year. The dates of the next registration weekend had not been announced at the time this record was last verified.
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14 Jan – 27 Mar 2026
Confirmed 202 days ago2026 school Term 1 (public schools)
Term 1 of the 2026 public school year ran for 11 weeks, from Wednesday 14 January to Friday 27 March. Educators reported two days earlier on Monday 12 January for administration. There were no public holidays inside this term, giving 53 scheduled school days.
March 2026
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Sat 21 Mar 2026
Confirmed 208 days agoHuman Rights Day 2026
Human Rights Day marks the 1960 Sharpeville massacre and commemorates the adoption of the Constitution. In 2026 it fell on a Saturday, which means there was no substitute public holiday on the following Monday.
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28 Mar – 7 Apr 2026
Confirmed 191 days ago2026 autumn school holiday
Public schools closed for the autumn break from Saturday 28 March to Tuesday 7 April 2026, an 11-day break. Learners returned on Wednesday 8 April. Good Friday and Family Day fell inside this break.
April 2026
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Fri 3 Apr 2026
Confirmed 195 days agoGood Friday 2026
Good Friday is a public holiday that falls two days before Easter Sunday. In 2026 it fell on 3 April and formed part of a four-day weekend with Family Day on Easter Monday, 6 April.
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Mon 6 Apr 2026
Confirmed 192 days agoFamily Day 2026
Family Day is the Monday after Easter Sunday and is a public holiday under the Public Holidays Act. In 2026 it fell on Monday 6 April, giving most South Africans a four-day weekend that ran from Good Friday.
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8 Apr – 26 Jun 2026
Confirmed 111 days ago2026 school Term 2 (public schools)
Term 2 was the longest term of 2026, running 12 weeks from Wednesday 8 April to Friday 26 June. It contained three public holidays and one special school holiday - Good Friday and Family Day fell before term started, then Freedom Day, Workers' Day, the special holiday on 15 June and Youth Day - cutting 58 scheduled days to 54 actual school days.
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Mon 27 Apr 2026
Confirmed 171 days agoFreedom Day 2026
Freedom Day commemorates the first democratic elections held on 27 April 1994. In 2026 it fell on a Monday, creating a natural long weekend. Schools were on autumn break, so it did not reduce the 2026 school day count.
May 2026
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Fri 1 May 2026
Confirmed 167 days agoWorkers' Day 2026
Workers' Day is a public holiday on 1 May each year. In 2026 it fell on a Friday, producing a three-day weekend. Employers must pay employees who work on a public holiday at double the normal rate under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
June 2026
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Mon 15 Jun 2026
Confirmed 122 days agoSpecial school holiday - Monday 15 June 2026
The Department of Basic Education declared Monday 15 June 2026 a special school holiday so that the Youth Day long weekend ran from Saturday 13 to Tuesday 16 June. Public schools were closed. This is not a public holiday, so government offices and private businesses were open unless they chose to close.
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Tue 16 Jun 2026
Confirmed 121 days agoYouth Day 2026
Youth Day commemorates the Soweto uprising of 16 June 1976. In 2026 it fell on a Tuesday, and the Department of Basic Education declared Monday 15 June 2026 a special school holiday so schools closed for four consecutive days.
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27 Jun – 20 Jul 2026
Confirmed 87 days ago2026 winter school holiday
The 2026 winter break ran for 24 days from Saturday 27 June to Monday 20 July. Schools reopened for Term 3 on Tuesday 21 July. This is the longest holiday of the school year apart from December.
July 2026
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1 Jul – 12 Jul 2026
Confirmed 95 days agoSARS auto-assessment notices issued for the 2026 filing season
SARS issued auto-assessment notices to selected taxpayers between 1 and 12 July 2026. If you received one, SARS has pre-filled a return using data from employers, medical schemes, banks and the South African Revenue Service's third-party data returns. Accepting the assessment means the return is filed. Disagreeing means you must submit your own return before the applicable deadline.
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Mon 13 Jul 2026
Confirmed 94 days agoSARS filing season 2026 opens on eFiling and the SARS MobiApp
Manual filing for the 2026 year of assessment opened on 13 July 2026 for every taxpayer who was not auto-assessed, or who rejected their auto-assessment. Returns can be submitted through eFiling, the SARS MobiApp or at a SARS branch by appointment.
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21 Jul – 23 Sep 2026
Confirmed 22 days ago2026 school Term 3 (public schools)
Term 3 of 2026 ran for 10 weeks from Tuesday 21 July to Wednesday 23 September. National Women's Day fell on a Sunday, so Monday 10 August was the public holiday, reducing the 47 scheduled days to 46 actual school days. Term 3 is when the final Grade 12 examination preparations begin.
August 2026
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Sun 9 Aug 2026
Confirmed 67 days agoNational Women's Day 2026
National Women's Day marks the 1956 march of around 20 000 women to the Union Buildings. In 2026 it fell on a Sunday, so Monday 10 August 2026 was a public holiday in its place under section 2(1) of the Public Holidays Act.
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Mon 10 Aug 2026
Confirmed 66 days agoNational Women's Day observed - Monday 10 August 2026
Because National Women's Day fell on a Sunday in 2026, the following Monday, 10 August 2026, was a public holiday in its place. This is the only Sunday-substitution holiday in the 2026 calendar and it fell inside school Term 3.
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Mon 31 Aug 2026
Confirmed 45 days agoProvisional tax (IRP6) - first payment for the 2027 year of assessment
The first provisional tax payment for taxpayers with a February year-end was due on 31 August 2026. It covers the first six months of the 2027 year of assessment and is submitted as an IRP6 return. Taxpayers who are provisional taxpayers include sole proprietors, freelancers, rental-property owners and most companies.
September 2026
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Fri 18 Sep 2026
Confirmed 27 days agoNSFAS 2027 applications open
Applications for NSFAS funding for the 2027 academic year opened on Friday 18 September 2026, launched by the Minister of Higher Education and Training. Applications are made online through the myNSFAS portal and are free. Applicants must apply for admission to a public university or TVET college separately - an NSFAS application is not an admission application.
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Sat 19 Sep 2026 – Fri 22 Jan 2027
Confirmed In 99 daysSARS deadline: trust income tax returns (ITR12T) for the 2026 year of assessment
Trusts could submit their ITR12T returns for the 2026 year of assessment from 19 September 2026 and must submit by 22 January 2027. Trustees should confirm the specific deadline for the trust's year-end with SARS or a registered tax practitioner, because not all trusts share the February year-end.
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Thu 24 Sep 2026
Confirmed 21 days agoHeritage Day 2026
Heritage Day on 24 September celebrates South Africa's cultural diversity and is widely observed as National Braai Day. In 2026 it fell on a Thursday, so Friday 25 September was a normal working day unless leave was taken.
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24 Sep – 5 Oct 2026
Confirmed 10 days ago2026 spring school holiday
The 2026 spring break ran for 12 days from Thursday 24 September to Monday 5 October. Heritage Day fell on the first day. Schools reopened for the final term on Tuesday 6 October.
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Wed 30 Sep 2026
Confirmed 15 days agoPublic TVET college applications for 2027 close
Applications for the 2027 academic year at public TVET colleges closed on 30 September 2026 according to the national announcement. Individual colleges run their own late and second-round windows, and many still accept applications for courses with space at the start of the academic year, so a candidate who missed the national date should contact the specific college directly.
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Wed 30 Sep 2026
Confirmed 15 days agoUniversity applications for 2027 - most public universities close
Most South African public universities close applications for the following academic year on 30 September, though the exact date differs by institution and some programmes - particularly medicine, engineering and health sciences - close far earlier, often in the first half of the year. There is no single national university application deadline. The Universities South Africa and individual university websites are the only authoritative sources.
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Wed 30 Sep 2026
Confirmed 15 days agoVoluntary third provisional tax payment (top-up) for the 2026 year of assessment
Taxpayers with a February year-end may make a voluntary third provisional tax payment by 30 September 2026 for the 2026 year of assessment. The payment is optional, but it stops interest from accruing between the second provisional payment and the final assessment date. It is most useful for people whose income rose unexpectedly in the second half of the year.
October 2026
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Fri 2 Oct 2026
Confirmed 13 days agoSASSA Older Persons Grant payment - October 2026
The Older Persons Grant and War Veterans Grant were paid on Friday 2 October 2026. The Older Persons Grant is R2 400 per month for beneficiaries under 75 and R2 420 for beneficiaries aged 75 and older following the April 2026 increases. Beneficiaries do not need to withdraw on the payment date - the money remains in the account.
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Mon 5 Oct 2026
Confirmed 10 days agoSASSA Disability and Care Dependency Grant payment - October 2026
Disability Grants and Care Dependency Grants were paid on Monday 5 October 2026. Both grants are R2 400 per month following the April 2026 increase. If a payment has not reflected by the end of the payment day, beneficiaries should contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 rather than travelling to a pay point.
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Tue 6 Oct 2026
Confirmed 9 days agoSASSA Child Support and other grants payment - October 2026
Child Support Grants, Foster Child Grants and Grant-in-Aid were paid on Tuesday 6 October 2026. The Child Support Grant is R580 per child per month and the Foster Child Grant is R1 290 per month following the April 2026 increases.
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6 Oct – 9 Dec 2026
Confirmed In 55 days2026 school Term 4 (public schools)
The final term of 2026 runs 10 weeks from Tuesday 6 October to Wednesday 9 December for learners. Educators stay on until Friday 11 December for administration and marking. There are no public holidays in term time, giving 47 school days. Grade 12 candidates write the NSC examinations throughout this term.
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Tue 13 Oct 2026
Confirmed 2 days ago2026 NSC (matric) examinations begin
The October/November 2026 National Senior Certificate examination session began on Tuesday 13 October 2026 with Computer Applications Technology Practical Paper 1 at 09:00. Practical assessments in Visual Arts, Design and Performing Arts ran earlier in September and October. Morning papers start at 09:00 and afternoon papers at 14:00.
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Fri 23 Oct 2026
Confirmed In 8 days2026 NSC Mathematics Paper 1 and Mathematical Literacy Paper 1
Mathematics Paper 1, Mathematical Literacy Paper 1 and Technical Mathematics Paper 1 will be written at 09:00 on Friday 23 October 2026. These are the highest-enrolment papers in the NSC timetable, with well over half a million candidates expected to write nationally.
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Fri 23 Oct 2026
Confirmed In 8 daysSARS deadline: non-provisional individual income tax returns close
Individual taxpayers who are not provisional taxpayers must submit their ITR12 income tax return for the 2026 year of assessment by Friday 23 October 2026. This is the largest single tax deadline in South Africa. Late submission attracts an administrative penalty of between R250 and R16 000 per month per outstanding return, which repeats for up to 35 months.
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Mon 26 Oct 2026
Confirmed In 11 days2026 NSC Mathematics Paper 2 and Mathematical Literacy Paper 2
Mathematics Paper 2, Mathematical Literacy Paper 2 and Technical Mathematics Paper 2 will be written at 09:00 on Monday 26 October 2026. Candidates should confirm their own paper(s) against the official DBE timetable, because Technical Mathematics follows a different paper structure.
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Wed 28 Oct 2026
Confirmed In 13 days2026 NSC English Home Language, FAL and SAL Paper 1
English Home Language, First Additional Language and Second Additional Language Paper 1 will be written at 09:00 on Wednesday 28 October 2026. English is compulsory for the NSC, so this is the single largest paper on the timetable.
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Fri 30 Oct 2026
Confirmed In 15 days2026 NSC Physical Sciences Paper 1 and Technical Sciences Paper 1
Physical Sciences Paper 1 and Technical Sciences Paper 1 will be written at 09:00 on Friday 30 October 2026. Physical Sciences Paper 2 follows on Monday 2 November 2026, after which the timetable pauses for three non-examination days.
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Sat 31 Oct 2026
Confirmed In 16 daysEmployer interim EMP501 reconciliation for the 2026/27 tax year
Employers must submit the interim EMP501 reconciliation covering the period 1 March 2026 to 31 August 2026 by 31 October 2026. The reconciliation must match the EMP201 returns already submitted and the IRP5/IT3(a) certificates issued to employees. Mismatches are the most common cause of SARS verification queries.
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Sat 31 Oct 2026
Corrected In 16 daysNSFAS 2027 applications close - date shown on the NSFAS application guide
The NSFAS application guide for 2027 displays 31 October 2026 as the closing date. Because the ministerial launch announcement gave a later date of 18 November 2026, Find SA Status recommends applicants treat 31 October as the effective deadline and submit well before it. Applying early also leaves time to correct a rejected document upload, which is the most common reason an application fails.
November 2026
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Sun 1 Nov 2026 – Wed 31 Mar 2027
Tentative In 167 daysCOIDA Return of Earnings (W.As.8) submission window
Employers registered with the Compensation Fund must submit a Return of Earnings - the W.As.8 form - covering the twelve months to the end of February. The submission window historically runs from 1 November to 31 March, and the assessment determines the employer's annual assessment tariff payable to the Compensation Fund. Employers who miss the deadline face penalties and a possible estimated assessment.
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3 Nov – 5 Nov 2026
Confirmed In 21 days2026 NSC non-examination days in November
The DBE timetable marked Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 November 2026 as non-examination days, with a further non-examination day on Monday 9 November 2026. These gaps exist to allow for marking logistics and to separate subjects that would otherwise clash for candidates taking unusual subject combinations.
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Tue 3 Nov 2026
Confirmed In 19 daysSASSA Older Persons Grant payment - November 2026
The Older Persons Grant and War Veterans Grant are paid on Tuesday 3 November 2026. SASSA staggers payments across three days each month to reduce congestion and cash-in-transit risk at pay points and retail tills.
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Wed 4 Nov 2026
Confirmed In 20 daysSASSA Disability and Care Dependency Grant payment - November 2026
Disability Grants and Care Dependency Grants are paid on Wednesday 4 November 2026. Note that 25 November 2026 marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, and SASSA advises beneficiaries to be especially cautious about carrying cash at pay points around this period.
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Thu 5 Nov 2026
Confirmed In 21 daysSASSA Child Support and other grants payment - November 2026
Child Support Grants, Foster Child Grants and Grant-in-Aid are paid on Thursday 5 November 2026. Beneficiaries whose grants are under review are typically paid one or two days later than the main cycle.
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Wed 18 Nov 2026
Corrected In 34 daysNSFAS 2027 applications close - date announced at the ministerial launch
The Minister of Higher Education and Training announced 18 November 2026 as the closing date for 2027 NSFAS applications at the launch on 18 September 2026. This is later than the date currently displayed on the NSFAS application guide. Applications close at 23:59 South African time.
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Thu 26 Nov 2026
Confirmed In 42 days2026 NSC examinations end
The final 2026 NSC papers - Computer Applications Technology and Information Technology Practical Paper 1 rewrites - are scheduled for 09:00 on Thursday 26 November 2026. Marking then begins nationally, followed by Umalusi standardisation before results are released.
December 2026
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1 Dec – 31 Dec 2026
Tentative In 77 daysNSFAS 2027 funding outcomes expected
NSFAS has indicated that successful applicants for 2027 can expect funding outcomes during December 2026, before registration opens for the 2027 academic year. Applicants should log in to myNSFAS to check their own outcome rather than waiting for an SMS, because NSFAS does not reliably reach every applicant by phone.
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Wed 2 Dec 2026
Confirmed In 48 daysSASSA Older Persons Grant payment - December 2026
The Older Persons Grant and War Veterans Grant are paid on Wednesday 2 December 2026. December payments are often paid earlier in the month than usual so that beneficiaries can plan for the holiday period. SASSA has not published a separate early-December schedule for 2026 beyond this date.
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Thu 3 Dec 2026
Confirmed In 49 daysSASSA Disability and Care Dependency Grant payment - December 2026
Disability Grants and Care Dependency Grants are paid on Thursday 3 December 2026. Grant amounts increase in April and October each year; the confirmed amounts that applied through December 2026 were R2 400 for the Disability Grant.
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Fri 4 Dec 2026
Confirmed In 50 daysSASSA Child Support and other grants payment - December 2026
Child Support Grants, Foster Child Grants and Grant-in-Aid are paid on Friday 4 December 2026. Because the Child Support Grant is paid per child, caregivers with multiple children receive a single combined payment.
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Thu 10 Dec 2026 – Tue 12 Jan 2027
Confirmed In 89 days2026–2027 summer school holiday
Public schools are scheduled to close for the summer holiday on Thursday 10 December 2026, and learners are scheduled to return on Wednesday 13 January 2027. Educators report on 11 January 2027. This is the longest break of the school year at around five weeks.
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Wed 16 Dec 2026
Confirmed In 62 daysDay of Reconciliation 2026
The Day of Reconciliation falls on Wednesday 16 December 2026, midway through the December school holidays. It is one of the busiest days of the year on South African roads.
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Fri 25 Dec 2026
Confirmed In 71 daysChristmas Day 2026
Christmas Day falls on Friday 25 December 2026, followed by the Day of Goodwill on Saturday 26 December. Government services, banks and licensing offices generally close on public holidays; check individual operating hours for the surrounding period.
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Sat 26 Dec 2026
Confirmed In 72 daysDay of Goodwill 2026
The Day of Goodwill falls on Saturday 26 December 2026. Under section 2(1) of the Public Holidays Act, a public holiday that falls on a Sunday is observed on the following Monday; because this holiday falls on a Saturday, Monday 28 December is not a substitute public holiday.
Other years
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