CVEmber
Create my resume

Resignation letter template for South Africa

This resignation letter template for South Africa covers what the law asks: notice must be in writing, one to four weeks by length of service (BCEA s37). It gives your last working day and asks for your final pay with untaken leave and your certificate of service (s42).

Free · no login · download as PDF · Updated 28 September 2026

By Rajesh Kumar · How these pages are made

Include

Check your contract. Your contract sets the notice, but it can't be shorter than the law's minimum: one week in your first six months, two weeks up to a year, four weeks after that. Resignation must be in writing. Annual leave you haven't taken is paid out when you leave, and you're entitled to a certificate of service.

Your letter is written as you type, on this device. Nothing is sent.

Free · unlimited · no account needed

Your letter appears here as you type

Add your name, job title, company and last working day. The letter states your last working day, respects your notice period and asks for what you need when you leave: the things HR looks for.

Sample letter

Written by the form above for a made-up person. Fill in the form to write yours.

Sample: South Africa, formal, 1 calendar month notice

26 September 2026

Lerato Mokoena
Northwind (Pty) Ltd

Dear Lerato,

Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from the position of Senior Analyst at Northwind (Pty) Ltd. I have accepted an opportunity that fits closely with my long-term career goals. In line with my notice period of one calendar month, my last working day will be 26 October 2026.

Until my last working day, I will complete a full handover of my work and responsibilities, and I am glad to help train my replacement so that nothing is left pending.

I would be grateful if you could confirm my final pay, including pay for any annual leave I have not taken, and provide my certificate of service after my last working day.

I am sincerely thankful for the opportunities I have had at Northwind (Pty) Ltd, and for the support of my colleagues and leadership during my time here.

Please let me know if you need anything further from me to complete the formalities.

Yours sincerely,
Thabo Nkosi
Senior Analyst

More examples

Resignation letter South Africa: one calendar month, leave pay and certificate of service

[Date]

Dear [Manager's name],

RESIGNATION: [YOUR JOB TITLE]

I hereby give notice of my resignation from my position as [Your job title] at [Company name]. My contract provides for one calendar month's notice, so my last working day will be [Last working day].

I will hand over my work before then. Please confirm my final pay, payment for annual leave I have not taken, my certificate of service and the UI-19 form.

Yours sincerely,
[Your full name]
[Employee number]

Resignation email South Africa: short, in writing

Subject: Resignation: [Your full name]

Dear [Manager's name],

Please accept this email as written notice of my resignation as [Job title]. My last working day will be [Last working day], in line with my notice period.

I will complete my handover. Please send my certificate of service and final pay details.

Kind regards,
[Your full name]

Resignation letter with immediate effect (asking for a waiver, no notice)

[Date]

Dear [Manager's name],

I resign from my position as [Your job title] with immediate effect, from today, [Date]. My contract provides for [one calendar month's] notice. Because [reason, for example: I start a new role on Monday], I ask that you waive the notice period.

I will hand over my work before I leave today, and I am willing to agree that the notice pay is not due. Please send my final pay, leave pay and certificate of service.

Yours sincerely,
[Your full name]

Resigning in South Africa: at a glance

Notice
Your contract sets it, but never less than the legal minimum: one week in your first six months, two weeks up to a year, four weeks after (BCEA, s37).
In writing?
Yes, notice of resignation must be in writing (BCEA, s37).
Immediate resignation
Only if your employer waives your notice; if they waive it, they still pay it unless you agree otherwise (s38).
Leave pay
Annual leave you haven't taken is paid out when you leave (s40).
Documents
Certificate of service (s42) and a UI-19 form for the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
The law
Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997.

How much notice

A letter of resignation in South Africa should state your notice and your last working day. Your contract sets the notice, often one calendar month, but it can't be shorter than the Basic Conditions of Employment Act's minimum: one week in your first six months, two weeks up to a year, and four weeks after that.

How to write a resignation letter with immediate effect

You can only leave without serving notice if your employer agrees to waive it. Choose “Immediate” and the letter asks for the waiver rather than assuming it. If your employer waives your notice, the law says they still pay you for it, unless you agree otherwise.

Final pay and your certificate of service

Annual leave you haven't taken is paid out when you leave, and you're entitled to a certificate of service with your dates, job title and pay. The letter asks for both.

Sources for South Africa

Checked on 28 September 2026. Laws change, and your contract, award or company policy can give you more than the minimum, so check it too. This page is general information, not legal advice.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Can I resign immediately in South Africa?

Only if your employer agrees to waive your notice. Otherwise you are expected to work your notice. The letter asks for the waiver politely.

Does a resignation have to be in writing?

Yes. The Basic Conditions of Employment Act requires notice of termination in writing. Email it or hand it in, and keep a copy.

Can I take leave during my notice period?

Only if your employer agrees. Otherwise the leave you haven't taken is paid out with your final pay.

What is a UI-19 form?

The form your employer gives you when you leave, showing your employment for the Unemployment Insurance Fund. UIF generally doesn't pay out if you resign voluntarily.

Still unsure? Send us a message — a real person replies.

Your next employer reads your resume first.

Paste the job ad, see how well you fit, and tailor your resume to it, with your approval on every line. Free to build and tailor; pay only to download.

Tailor my resumeGet my ATS score — free