President Jacob Zuma has declared 27 December a public holiday following a request by Fedusa.

CAPE TOWN - President Jacob Zuma has declared 27 December a public holiday following a request by the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa).

Fedusa says it made the call as workers in the country will only have 11 public holidays instead of 12 this year, as Christmas Day falls on a Sunday.

According to section 2(1) of the Public Holidays Act 1994, "whenever a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be a public holiday".

However, as 26 December 2016 is also a public holiday, the two overlap.

The Presidency says the move will ensure that workers still get their 12 paid public holidays.

Fedusa says its pleased that President Zuma has declared the day a public holiday.

The federation's Dennis George has described the President's announcement as an important gesture.

"Sometimes it does occur that some of these public holidays fall on a weekend and there are other holidays in between that deprives workers from having their 12 holidays. From our side, we are very pleased and happy that our government has made this a holiday."