Below are the South African school holidays, public holidays and term dates for 2017. Term School Starts School Ends Weeks School Days Term 1 11 January 2017 31 March 2017 12 56 Term 2 18 April 2017 – 30 June 2017 11 54 Term 3 24 July 2017 29 September 2017 10 50 Term 4 9 October 2017 6 December 2017 9 43 Public holidays in South Africa 1 January: New Year’s Day 21 March: Human Rights Day 14 April: Good Friday* 17 April: Family Day* 27 April: Freedom Day 1 May: Workers Day 16 June: Youth Day 9 August: National Women’s Day 24 September: Heritage Day 16 December: Day of Reconciliation 25 December: Christmas Day 26 December: Day of Goodwill