South Africa Ramadan 2025: Timetable, rules, changes, meaning, history

South Africa Ramadan 2025: Timetable, rules, changes, meaning, history

Every year, Muslims in South Africa join the rest of the world to celebrate Ramadan. The first day of Ramadan 2025 in South Africa has been confirmed to be March 2. The event falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. In this month, Muslims are expected to refrain from eating or drinking from dawn until sunset. Here is everything about South Africa Ramadan 2025.

A lit Ramadan lamp and Ramadan wishes
Ramadan Light On Top Of Table and Ramadan Kareem poster. Photo: @Ahmed Aqtai/optimusgamesstore (modified by author)
Source: UGC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key takeaways

  • Ramadan is an annual Muslim event of fasting, prayer, and reflection.
  • South Africa Ramadan 2025 began on Sunday, 2nd of March.
  • The holy month is expected to end on 30th or 31st March depending on the sighting of the moon.

South African Ramadan 2025

With Ramadan 2025 confirmed to begin on 2 March 2025, South African Muslims have started the holy month. First, let us understand Ramadan and what it entails.

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Ramadan meaning

Ramadan is the holiest month of the year for Muslims. In Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur'an. They also fast from food and drink during sunlit hours to become closer to Allah.

They cultivate self-control, gratitude and compassion for the less fortunate. Ramadan is a period of immense spiritual rejuvenation with a focus on devotion. Muslims spend extra time reading the Qur'an and performing special prayers.

A Brown Misbaha on a blue Quran
A Brown Misbaha on a blue Quran lying on a carpet. Photo: pexels.com, @RDNE Stock project
Source: UGC

The fasting from water and food during Ramadan leads to improvement in physical well-being too. Muslims experience an energy boost and feel less stressed. You can also share sweet encouraging messages for your loved ones to wish them the best during this celebration.

Each community incorporates the traditions, culture and foods into the month of Ramadan. For example Egypt's colorful lanterns or Pakistanis Moonlight dance. Families also pass unique traditions down several generations.

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Ramadan history

In Islamic culture, Ramadan is the most sacred month. It is believed to be the month when Allah gave the first chapters of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. During this month, Muslims strive to be closer to Allah by fasting, praying, and abstaining from pleasure.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is a lunar calendar. The Ramadan calendar is dependent on the moon's cycles. The month begins after the crescent moon is visibly spotted and when the religious leaders announce to have personally seen it.

Ramadan rules

A gathering of Muslims and non-Muslims for Iftar.
Hundreds of Muslims and non-Muslims attend a mass Iftar (breaking of the fast) during the holy month of Ramadan in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, South Africa. Photo: @AfricaViewFacts
Source: Twitter

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, and it does not only entail abstaining from food and drinks but also practices like fighting, gossiping, telling lies, smoking, taking oral medication, and sexual activities.

Fasting is, however, accepted for anyone who has not hit puberty, the sick, frail, expectant Muslim girls or women lactating mothers, ladies in their menstrual periods and those who are travelling.

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During the holy month, Muslims are expected to offer great services to society by helping those in need. They are also expected to be intentional about the holy month and observe what is expected of them. Engaging in the practices that they are not supposed to will make their fast nullified.

Ramadan timetable 2025 in South Africa

Below is the Ramadan calendar 2025 for Cape Town. The timetable shows when to begin and break their fast.

Sehr marks the start of the fast, and usually, Muslims have a small meal before then. Iftar means the time to break the fast. It is marked by sipping on water and three dates before prayers. Here is the Ramadan timetable 2025 for South Africa.

Ramadan DayDateDaySehriIftar
102/03/2025Sunday5:1619:25
203/03/2025Monday5:1719:24
304/03/2025Tuesday5:1819:23
405/03/2025Wednesday5:1919:21
506/03/2025Thursday5:2019:20
607/03/2025Friday5:2119:19
708/03/2025Saturday5:2219:17
809/03/2025Sunday5:2319:16
910/03/2025Monday5:2419:15
1011/03/2025Tuesday5:2519:14
1112/03/2025Wednesday5:2619:12
1213/03/2025Thursday5:2719:11
1314/03/2025Friday5:2819:10
1415/03/2025Saturday5:2919:06
1516/03/2025Sunday5:3019:07
1617/03/2025Monday5:3019:05
1718/03/2025Tuesday5:3119:04
1819/03/2025Wednesday5:3219:03
1920/03/2025Thursday5:3319:01
2021/03/2025Friday5:3419:00
2122/03/2025Saturday5:3518:59
2223/03/2025Sunday5:3618:57
2324/03/2025Monday5:3618:56
2425/03/2025Tuesday5:3718:55
2526/03/2025Wednesday5:3818:53
2627/03/2025Thursday5:3918:52
2728/03/2025Friday5:3918:51
2829/03/2025Saturday5:4018:49
2930/03/2025Sunday5:4118:48

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Ramadan 2025 dates in South Africa

In Cape Town, the holy month started on 2 March 2025 and is expected to end on the evening of Sunday, 30 March 2025 or Monday, 31 March 2025. The end date just like the beginning of the holy month will entirely depend on the sighting of the moon.

Eid 2025 in South Africa will be celebrated on the date Ramadan ends which is either 30th or 31st March.

The most accurate Ramadan dates will be provided by the maankykers, the moon watchers who gather in specific spots to observe the moon.

Alternatively, one could also tune in to The Voice of the Cape or Radio 786 for updates on the Ramadan calendar 2025 in Cape Town.

In which month is Ramadan coming in 2025?

The holy month will start in March 2025 and end in the same March.

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Are there two Ramadans in 2025?

There will not be two Ramadans this year. Ramadan follows the lunar calendar. March is the ninth month of the lunar year which has twelve months hence it is not possible for another Ramadan this year.

How long does Ramadan last in 2025?

South Africa Ramadan 2025 is expected to last 29 to 30 days this year depending on the sighting of the moon. Predictions hope to spot the moon on the 30th or 31st of March.

Thousands of muslims gathered for the Eid Prayers in Lenasia, South Africa 2023
The Eid Prayers in Lenasia, South Africa, marking the end of Ramadan, brought together tens of thousands of Muslims in a historic gathering. Photo: @muftimenk@muftimenk
Source: Twitter

What is the prediction for Ramadan 2025?

South Africa Ramadan 2025 began on 2 March. Eid ul-Fitr 2025 is expected on the evening of Sunday, 30 March or Monday, 31 March.

What time is Iftar Ramadan 2025?

Iftar is held at different times, depending on one's location. Usually, it is around 7 p.m. The holy month's timetable highlights when it will be held in different regions.

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When should you eat Suhoor?

It should be eaten before dawn. The timetable has the exact time when the pre-dawn meal should be taken in Cape Town in March 2025.

When does Ramadan end?

The holy month is expected to end on the 30th or 31st of March 2025.

Every ninth month of the Islamic calendar is the holiest month. South Africa Ramadan 2025 celebration is going to be the month of worship, giving back and communing with others. Muslims are encouraged to be faithful and disciplined, observing the holy month and sticking to the timetable provided.

Briefly.co.za shared an article on 15 best halal recipes you simply cannot resist trying out. Halal is a word of Arabic origin used to describe something that is permitted or lawful, mostly under Islamic law.

When it comes to food, Muslims have food items they consider unpermitted (haram) and those considered halal (permitted). This means that one can only use halal ingredients when preparing a meal in an Islamic setting. What are some of the top halal recipes one can try out today?

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Priscillah Mueni avatar

Priscillah Mueni (Lifestyle writer) Priscillah Mueni is a lifestyle and entertainment content creator with more than 4 years of experience. She graduated from Meru University of Science and Technology with a Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering in 2019. In 2023, Priscillah finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She has been writing articles on Briefly.co.za since 2019. Email: pshmueni@gmail.com

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Sharon Boit (Lifestyle writer) Sharon J. Boit is a Lifestyle Writer at Legit Media Holdings, working on content optimization since October 2024. Sharon began her career as a researcher and project manager at the Center for Urban Research and Innovations, University of Nairobi, for 4 years. In 2019, she became a freelance SEO content writer, writing blog posts and articles on travel, pets, online sports betting, personal finance, lifestyle, radio news, and technology. You can reach Sharon J. Boit by email at boitjep@gmail.com.