Clarifying the Workers’ Day 2025 confusion: No national shutdown, just an extra school break
Johannesburg, South Africa — As South Africa marks Workers’ Day 2025 on Thursday, 1 May, confusion has been swirling over whether Friday, May 2 is also a public holiday.
A widely circulated fake letter claiming President Cyril Ramaphosa had declared a national shutdown for Friday, May 2 caused panic and sparked a flurry of speculation online.
But the South African government has shut down these rumours with firm clarity.
“There is NO national shutdown planned!!!! 2 May 2025 is a normal working day,” the government said.
What is Workers’ Day and why does it natter?
International Workers’ Day, also known as Labour Day or May Day, is a celebration of the working class and their ongoing fight for fair labour rights and economic justice. It is commemorated globally on May 1, and in South Africa, it has been a national public holiday since 1995.
“Labour Day honours the contributions of workers worldwide, reminding us that every job matters.”
From factory workers to teachers and first responders, the day honours all who contribute to the country’s progress. Many spend it with family or reflecting on labour struggles, while schools often use it as a springboard for educational activities celebrating community workers.
Debunking the shutdown hoax
The fake letter, which falsely claimed to be an “official statement” from the Presidency, called for a “March & Mass Movement for a National Shutdown” on May 2. It claimed that President Ramaphosa had endorsed the action.
Not only was this completely untrue, but government departments, including Government Communications and Information Systems (GCIS) , acted swiftly to correct the misinformation.
Both the Presidency and GCIS denied the authenticity of the statement and urged citizens to verify any announcements using official government channels.
In other words: the long weekend ends on Thursday. South Africans are expected to return to work on Friday, May 2, regardless of the circulating rumours.
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Schools closed on Friday—but only Schools
Adding to the confusion was a legitimate announcement by the Department of Basic Education: public schools will indeed be closed on May 2. This forms part of a series of special holidays granted around the Freedom Day and Workers’ Day stretch.
The official school holidays in this period (April/May 2025) are:
- Tuesday, April 29
- Wednesday, April 30
- Friday, May 2
These closures are allowed under the Public Holidays Act of 1994, which grants the department discretion to declare extra school holidays in calendar-heavy periods.
However, this does not apply to other sectors of the economy.
“While Thursday, 1 May, is an official public holiday to mark Workers’ Day, the government has not declared Friday a public holiday.”
Why this clarification matters
With April and May already full of holidays—Good Friday (April 18), Family Day (April 21), Freedom Day (April 27), and Workers’ Day (May 1)—some sectors are experiencing productivity dips. Government officials are eager to maintain balance, encouraging normal operations where possible to avoid unnecessary disruption.
“The government continues to warn the public against spreading misinformation, especially statements falsely attributed to the Presidency. Such fake news can cause unnecessary panic, confusion, and economic disruption.”
Know the difference
So here’s the bottom line for Workers’ Day 2025 in South Africa:
- Thursday, May 1: Public holiday for all (Workers’ Day)
- Friday, May 2: School holiday only
- For everyone else: It’s a regular working day
- Shutdown rumours: Fake
In a time of rising online misinformation, especially around national holidays and labour rights, it’s more important than ever to stay alert and informed. Always check announcements via official government platforms, not viral posts or WhatsApp forwards.
Enjoy the break, honour the workers—and don’t forget to set your alarm for Friday morning.
