4 November is a public holiday. Working? You could be owed double
Wednesday, 4 November 2026 is a paid public holiday for the local elections. Here's what the law says you must be paid if you work, if you're off, and what you need to vote.
Wednesday, 4 November 2026 is a paid public holiday across South Africa for the local government elections. President Cyril Ramaphosa declared it under section 2A of the Public Holidays Act in Proclamation Notice 346 of 2026, published in the Government Gazette on 8 September (Government Gazette 55352).
That means the normal public holiday rules in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act apply. If you usually work on a Wednesday, you get paid for the day even if you stay home. If you're asked to work, you're owed at least double (BCEA, section 18).
Does my employer have to give me the day off?
Your employer can't make you work on a public holiday unless you've agreed to it (BCEA, section 18(1)). The Presidency has also asked employers to make provision for staff to vote on 4 November (The Presidency).
A public holiday can be swapped for another day, but only if you and your employer agree (Department of Employment and Labour summary of the BCEA).
How much must I be paid if I work on 4 November?
It depends on whether Wednesday is normally a working day for you (BCEA, section 18):
- You normally work Wednesdays and you work on 4 November: at least double your normal pay for that day, or your normal day's pay plus what you earn for the hours worked, whichever is more.
- You normally work Wednesdays but you're off on 4 November: at least your normal pay for that day.
- You don't normally work Wednesdays but you work on 4 November: your ordinary daily wage plus what you earn for the work done that day.
As an example, if you normally earn R400 for a Wednesday shift and you work on election day, you should get at least R800 for that day.
Holiday pay must be paid on your usual pay day (BCEA, section 18(4)). If a shift runs across midnight, the whole shift counts as worked on whichever day most of it fell (BCEA, section 18(5)).
Who isn't covered by these rules?
The working time chapter of the Act, which includes the public holiday rules, doesn't apply to senior managers, sales staff who travel to customers and set their own hours, or anyone who works less than 24 hours a month for that employer (BCEA, section 6).
If you are covered and don't get paid correctly, you can raise it with the Department of Employment and Labour, whose labour inspectors enforce the Act.
What do I need to vote on the day?
Voting stations are open from 07:00 to 21:00. Take a green barcoded ID book, a smart ID card or a temporary ID certificate (IEC).
You can only vote at the station in the ward where you're registered, and votes can't be moved to another station if you travel (The Presidency). Here's how to check your voting station.
FAQ
Is 4 November 2026 a public holiday in South Africa?
Yes. Wednesday, 4 November 2026 was declared a public holiday throughout South Africa for the local government elections, in Proclamation Notice 346 of 2026.
Do I get paid if I don't work on 4 November?
If Wednesday is normally a working day for you, your employer must pay you at least your normal wage for that day, even though you don't work.
What is the pay for working on a public holiday in South Africa?
If the holiday falls on a day you normally work, you must get at least double your normal daily pay, or your normal pay plus what you earned for the hours worked if that is more. If you don't normally work that day, you get your ordinary daily wage plus what you earned for the work done.
Can my boss force me to work on election day?
No. Under section 18(1) of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, an employer may only require you to work on a public holiday in line with an agreement.
What time do voting stations open on 4 November?
The IEC says voting stations are open from 07:00 to 21:00 on election day.