President Jacob Zuma on Saturday wished South Africans a peaceful, joyous and restful festive season.
The president will spend the festive period and Christmas at his Nkandla home village of KwaNxamalala.
Presidency spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga said Zuma would continue to be on duty during the holiday period, and where necessary, hold official meetings at home in Nkandla on urgent matters of state.
His festive season schedule includes attending the annual Msholozi soccer tournament in Eshowe on Saturday and the annual celebration of the AmaNxamalala Trust, an annual Zuma clan gathering to celebrate their founder Inkosi Matomela, in Mpendle on Sunday.
He is expected to attend the annual chess tournament on December 20 in Sibusisiwe Hall, Mandeni, north of KwaZulu-Natal.
"As an avid chess player and promoter of the sport, President Zuma believes that if chess is rolled out in schools, it would teach children key strategic thinking and they would excel in these strategies and tactics as adults," Ngqulunga said.
On December 24, he will attend the annual Christmas Party for senior citizens at Savannah Park near Chatsworth in Durban.
The Jacob Zuma RDP Education Trust Senior Citizens' Christmas Party will take place on December 27 at the Mnyakanya Secondary School Sports Ground in Nkandla.
On December 29, Zuma will host the Jacob Zuma RDP Education Trust Youth and Children Christmas Party.