President Cyril Ramaphosa has faced criticism for his decision to implement a public holiday on the 15th of December, nearly two months after the Springboks clinched victory in the Rugby World Cup. This announcement came during a national address on Monday, the 30th of October. The rationale behind this delayed holiday, as explained by the president. Is to accommodate Matric learners who are currently undertaking their exams nationwide in South Africa.
Unsurprisingly, this decision did not sit well with a significant portion of the South African population. Many expressed their dissatisfaction on social media platforms. Where the sentiment was palpable: they didn’t want to wait any longer to celebrate the Springboks’ historic triumph. Several prominent politicians also joined the chorus of criticism.
Bantu Holomisa, the leader of the UDM, vocally opposed the so-called public holiday on the 15th of December. He dismissed it as a mere formality, asserting that by that date, most people would already be on vacation. Rendering the holiday virtually inconsequential. Holomisa also questioned the logic behind delaying the holiday due to Matric exams. Arguing that the Springboks’ victory tour should have happened sooner.
Notably, other political leaders, such as Mmusi Maimane of the Bosa party and Julius Malema of the EFF. Took to Twitter to vent their frustration. Maimane commented that Ramaphosa had indeed granted a holiday. But in his characteristic, measured style, while Malema categorically dismissed it as a “fake holiday.” He went further to assert that the EFF rejected Ramaphosa’s announcement, deeming it an opportunistic move within an existing holiday.
The choice of the 15th of December as the designated holiday raised further questions. The 2023 calendar revealed that South Africa would experience a reduction in the number of public holidays due to the fact that the Day of Reconciliation, which falls on the 16th of December, happened to land on a Saturday. According to the Public Holiday Act, when an official holiday falls on a Sunday, it is automatically moved to the following day, i.e., Monday, to ensure a long weekend for citizens. However, when a holiday falls on a Saturday, no such provision exists.
Many South Africans believe that President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the 15th of December a public holiday as a substitute for the day following the Day of Reconciliation, a move aimed at preserving the principle of providing an extended weekend while taking into account the significance of the Springboks’ victory.
In conclusion, the delay in celebrating the Springboks’ triumph and the subsequent controversy surrounding the choice of a public holiday date have prompted spirited debates and criticism from both the public and political leaders alike. As the nation grapples with this issue, the decision ultimately reflects the balancing act required when navigating holiday calendars, exam schedules, and public sentiment.
