Resignation letter · Free South African guide
A simple, professional resignation letter.
Resign in writing, give the notice your contract requires, and keep it polite. You may need a reference from this employer later.
- Notice period wording
- What to include and leave out
- Free resignation letter builder
- Example you can copy
Include
- Date and your manager's name.
- A clear statement that you are resigning from your position.
- Your last working day, based on your notice period.
- A brief thank you and offer to help with handover.
Notice periods
Your employment contract sets the notice period. Where the contract is silent, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act sets minimums based on how long you've worked there. Check the Department of Employment and Labour (labour.gov.za) for the current rules.
Example
"Dear Mr Naidoo, Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as Sales Assistant. My last working day will be 31 October 2026, in line with my one-month notice period. Thank you for the opportunities I've had here. I'm happy to help with handover. Kind regards, Sipho Dlamini." (Fictional example.)
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