TODAY, South Africans celebrate National Reconciliation Day under the theme, ‘Strengthening unity and social cohesion in a healing nation’.
In our country, this day is a public holiday which has been observed annually on December 16 since it came into effect in 1995 with the intention of fostering reconciliation and national unity among its citizens.
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December 16 was chosen because it was significant to Afrikaners and black African cultures. The government chose a meaningful date for both ethnic groups because they recognised the need for racial harmony.
Facts about Reconciliation Day
– Originally, the holiday recognised the Voortrekkers’ victory over the Zulu at the Battle of Blood River on December 16, 1838.
– The second historical event that took place on December 16 was in 1961 when Umkhonto weSizwe (MK), the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC), was formed.
– The first meeting of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was on December 16, 1995.
– It is the first of four public holidays observed at the height of the southern hemisphere summer, along with Christmas, the Day of Goodwill and New Year’s Day.
– The Day of Reconciliation encourages unity and peace among different people and groups in South Africa.
The South African government says that on December 16, the nation will celebrate Reconciliation Day to continue the drive to foster greater unity and nation-building.
“Each year, we have an opportunity to reach out to one another to deal with our past, reconcile and build a new nation. Our goal as South Africans should be to promote inclusive nation-building and social cohesion. This generation must continue to work towards a society free from racial, social, economic and class barriers. It is an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come in building a cohesive and united society,” says the government about Reconciliation Day.
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