As 2025 unfolds, many savvy employees are already planning their next getaway, using the year’s public holidays to full advantage. And, the alignment of public holidays, weekends and leave days is particularly advantageous this year. For example, a clever option to extend your leave exists between the long weekends of April 2025, assuming you have accumulated enough leave by then and get your application in before your colleagues.
“This is exactly the kind of opportunity working people should look out for,” notes Samantha Pillay, Director at ekko, “as the majority of employees only get 15 working days leave a year.” By aligning your leave from April 11th to 17th (five working days) and April 22nd to May 2nd (seven working days), you can enjoy 24 consecutive days off using just 12 leave days. This lets you take advantage of weekends, Human Rights Day, Good Friday and Family Day. “So, if you’ve been dreaming about having enough leave for that longed-for overseas trip, now’s your chance,” advises Pillay.
Just imagine visiting Paris in April – considered the most romantic time of year to visit this iconic city – and strolling down the Champs-Élysées when everything is at its most enchanting. Perfect for a second honeymoon. Or, discovering the magic of the Far East, visiting the Gold Coast down under or Yellowstone National Park in the USA? How about taking a road trip and exploring South Africa? Or, escaping to a luxury retreat along the coast where you can put your feet up and just chillax? Whether you’re keen on international destinations, seeing more of our beautiful country or even going on a cruise, your options are endless.
“We believe in making getaways as flexible and affordable as possible for people. Having an ekko lifestyle portfolio with its exclusive benefits means you can definitely make your dream holiday a reality,” says Pillay. “By using your ekko shares as payment, you can unlock access to over 50+ luxury resorts in South Africa. Additionally, you can enjoy access to over 500,000 luxury local and international resorts and hotels worldwide at up to 50% off without using your shares,” she explains. “You also get discounts on flights, car hire and tours.”
However, despite these long weekends falling outside of school holidays, local destinations will still fill up quickly and many resorts across South Africa and even certain popular holiday spots abroad will see high demand over the Easter weekend. Pillay therefore advises that you start the leave process at work now and book your holiday as soon as possible.
If on the other hand, you don’t want to use all 12 leave days, you can still maximise the public holidays during this period and enjoy a nice break. Using leave around Easter weekend (April 11th to 17th) requires just six days for a week away. Alternatively, taking leave from April 22nd to May 2nd will give you 10 days off using seven days of leave.
“Why not take advantage of all the extra leave on offer in 2025? With some smart planning, this could be your year of getting much more for far less,” Pillay concludes.
For more information about the ekko lifestyle portfolio, go to www.ekko.co.za. But hurry because April is just around the corner.