Last week, we got our first taste of long weekend, and boy, were we ready! 

If you weren't one of the smart people that maximised by taking Friday off for a nice long weekend, fear not, because there are plenty other opportunities for you to create a nice long weekend for yourself.

If you haven’t yet put in your leave for the year, take a minute to plan the best combination of leave days coupled with public holidays. When added to weekends, you may find yourself scoring 40 days out of the office for a total of 14 annual leave days. Grab your calendar – it’s not cheating the system if it’s all in black and white.

Easter Weekend (April 19-22)

Take off: Thursday April 18 and Tuesday April 23. 

Days off: Six.

Workers’ Day  (May 1)

Take off: Thursday May 2 and Friday May 3.

Days off: Five.

Youth Day (June 16, observed on June 17)

Take off: Thursday June 13 and Friday June 14.

Days off: Five.

Women’s Day (August 9)

Take off: Monday August 12.

Days off: Four.

Heritage Day (September 24)

Take off: Monday September 23.

Days off: Four.

Day of Reconciliation (December 16)

Take off: Tuesday December 17.

Days off: Four.

Christmas (December 25, 26)

Take off: December 23, 24, 27, 30, 31.

Days off: 12.

Keep in mind:

If you keep more leave days for December you can get a total of 19 days off for nine days of leave by taking off December 17-20, 23-24, 27 and 30-31.

Election Day is on Tuesday, May 8. If you combine this with Workers’ Day and take leave on May 2, 3, 6 and 7 you will get eight days off work.