Payment cut-off times and when your payment will arrive
How long a payment takes to reach its destination depends on three things: the payment type you use, the bank the money is going to, and whether you submit the payment before that day’s cut-off time.
A cut-off time is the last point at which a payment can be included in the current day’s processing. Payments submitted before the cut-off are processed the same business day. Payments submitted after it are held and released in the next processing period, which is normally the next business day.
All times on this page are South African Standard Time (SAST).
When will my payment arrive?
The expected arrival time depends on the payment method and the beneficiary’s bank.
Payment type | Availability | Estimated arrival |
Manza-to-Manza / same-bank payment | Subject to service availability | Generally immediate |
RTC / real-time payment (a.k.a "Instant EFT") | Participating banks | Generally within 60 seconds |
Standard EFT submitted before cut-off | Business days | Same day or next business day |
Standard EFT submitted after cut-off | Released during the next processing period | From the next business day |
Standard EFT submitted on a weekend or public holiday | Processed from the next business day | Usually the following business day |
PayShap, where supported by Manza | 24/7/365 | Generally immediate |
Cut-off times
These are the daily cut-off times for standard EFT payments.
Manza payment | Weekday cut-off |
Manza → another bank | 16:30 (SAST) |
There is no processing on Sundays or public holidays. A payment submitted on a Sunday or a public holiday starts processing on the next business day.
Examples
EFT to another bank, submitted at 16:45 on a Tuesday. This is after the 16:30 weekday cut-off, so processing starts on Wednesday and the payment typically arrives on Wednesday or Thursday.
EFT to another bank, submitted at 10:00 on a Saturday. This is after the 09:30 Saturday cut-off, so processing starts on Monday, provided Monday is not a public holiday.
Payment to an Manza account, submitted at 17:00 on a Thursday. This is before the 18:30 weekday cut-off, so it is processed the same day.
A note on arrival times
The times on this page are estimates rather than guarantees. Once we release a payment, the final credit to the beneficiary’s account is made by the receiving bank, and that bank’s own processing affects when the money appears. Payments can also take longer if the beneficiary details are incorrect or if we need to complete additional checks.
If your payment has not arrived and the estimated time has passed, contact us with the payment reference and we will trace it for you.
Weekends
Business days are Monday to Friday. Saturdays and Sundays are not processing days, and payments submitted then start processing on the next business day.
Public holidays
On any observed South African public holiday no transfers are processed that day. You may initiate a transfer, but it will only be processed on the next business day. Here is a list of key public holidays in South Africa:
South Africa Public Holidays 2026
New Year's Day – Thursday, 1 January
Human Rights Day – Saturday, 21 March
Good Friday – Friday, 3 April
Family Day – Monday, 6 April
Freedom Day – Monday, 27 April
Workers' Day – Friday, 1 May
Youth Day – Tuesday, 16 June
National Women's Day – Monday, 10 August (observed, 9 Aug falls on Sunday)
Heritage Day – Thursday, 24 September
Day of Reconciliation – Wednesday, 16 December
Christmas Day – Friday, 25 December
Day of Goodwill – Saturday, 26 December
South Africa Public Holidays 2027
New Year's Day – Friday, 1 January
Human Rights Day – Monday, 22 March (observed, 21 Mar falls on Sunday)
Good Friday – Friday, 26 March
Family Day – Monday, 29 March
Freedom Day – Tuesday, 27 April
Workers' Day – Saturday, 1 May
Youth Day – Wednesday, 16 June
National Women's Day – Monday, 9 August
Heritage Day – Friday, 24 September
Day of Reconciliation – Thursday, 16 December
Christmas Day – Saturday, 25 December
Day of Goodwill – Monday, 27 December (observed, 26 Dec falls on Sunday)
Please note that some religious holiday dates may be subject to change.