Day of Reconciliation
Day of Reconciliation | |
---|---|
16 December | |
First time | 16 December 1995 |
Related to | Day of the Vow |
The Day of Reconciliation is a
The origins of the celebration for Afrikaners goes back to the
Date and observance
The first time the Day of Reconciliation was celebrated as a public holiday was in 1995.[2] The new government chose to represent national unity by choosing a date that had significance for "both the Afrikaner and liberation struggle traditions".[2]
On Day of Reconciliation, cultural groups participate in
Each year has had a different theme. For example:
- 2013: Nation Building, Social Cohesion, and Reconciliation.[9]
- 2014: Social Cohesion, Reconciliation, and National Unity in the 20 Years of Democracy.[10]
- 2015: Bridging the Divide: Building a common South African nationhood towards a national development state.[11]
- 2016: Bridging The Divide Towards A Non-Racist Society.[12]
- 2017: The Year of OR Tambo: Reconciliation through Radical Socio-Economic Transformation.[13]
- 2018: The Year of Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu: Liberators for Reconciliation.[14]
- 2019: The Year of Indigenous Languages: Supporting National Reconciliation Through the Promotion, Development and Preservation of Indigenous Languages.[15]
- 2020: United In Action Against Racism, Gender-based Violence and Other Intolerances.[16]
- 2021: The year of Charlotte Maxeke: Promoting Reconciliation During the 25th Anniversary of the Constitution[17]
- 2022: National Unity, Healing, and Renewal[18]
Origin
Afrikaner origins
For Afrikaners, 16 December was commemorated as the
The religious significance of the event, where it is called Day of the Covenant or Day of the Vow, involves the belief that the Voortrekker victory of the Zulus was ordained by God.[19] The General Synod of the Afrikaners' Natal Churches chose 16 December as "an ecclesiastical day of thanksgiving by all its congregations" in 1864.[19] Later, in 1894, Dingane's Day was declared a public holiday by the Government of the Orange Free State.[19]
During the Apartheid era, 16 December continued to be celebrated as the Day of the Vow[21] and the Day of the Covenant.[22] In 1952, Dingane's Day was changed to Day of the Covenant and in 1980 was changed to The Day of the Vow.[22] The Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria was erected on 16 December 1949 to commemorate Dingane's Day.[23][24]
The last year South Africa celebrated Day of the Vow was in 1994.[25] The transition from Day of the Vow to Day of Reconciliation was viewed with mixed emotions for Afrikaners.[25]
African origins
Black and indigenous South Africans who did not have the right to vote after the South African War, protested racial discrimination on 16 December 1910.[19] Other protests against the government handling of racial discrimination continued to be held on 16 December. In 1929, 1930 and 1934, anti-pass demonstrations were held by the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA) on that day.[19] The All African Convention (AAC) was held during the same time in 1935, covering dates 15 December through 18 December.[19]
Much later, when efforts of passive protest and resistance against apartheid had been unsuccessful, the
Day of Reconciliation
When Apartheid ended, it was decided to keep 16 December as a public holiday, but to infuse it "with the purpose of fostering reconciliation and national unity."[21] It was established by the government in 1994.[29] Nelson Mandela was part of the group of politicians that helped start the idea for the holiday.[30] On 16 December 1995, the first celebration took place.[2] The first meeting of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission also took place on 16 December 1995.[31] In an address in 1995, Archbishop Desmond Tutu described the holiday as serving the need of healing the wounds of Apartheid.[32]
The holiday is also used to celebrate minority cultural groups in South Africa, such as the San people.[8] South African President, Jacob Zuma, in 2009, also stressed that the holiday was meant to also promote "non-sexism."[33]
Other significance
It is the first of four public holidays observed at the height of the
See also
- South African apartheid referendum
References
- ^ a b c "Day of Reconciliation". Government of South Africa. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Day of Reconciliation celebrated as a public holiday in SA for the first time". South African History Online. 16 March 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ Wa Monareng, Motsebi (16 December 2015). "Mpumalanga Reconciliation Day celebrations display cultural diversity". SABC. Archived from the original on 26 October 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ "Nelson Mandela Statue Unveiled in South Africa on Day of Reconciliation". CTV News. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ Bateman, Barry (17 December 2009). "Zuma homage to the 'forgotten heroes'; Tribute paid to struggle veterans at Day of Reconciliation ceremony". The Star. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ "First Necklacing Victim Gets Day of Reconciliation Burial". Cape Times. 17 December 2008.
- ^ "South Africa's ANC Old Guard Reminisce at Site of Police Raid". The Index-Journal. 16 December 2001. Retrieved 9 July 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "SA Celebrates Reconciliation Day". SABC. 16 December 2015. Archived from the original on 26 October 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ "Invitation to Reconciliation Day". South African Government. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ a b "16 December: a day to learn from the past". South Africa.info. 16 December 2014. Archived from the original on 5 December 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ "Day of Reconciliation 2015". South African Government. 16 December 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ "Reconciliation Day 2016". South African Government. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- ^ "Message by President Jacob Zuma on National Reconciliation Day 2017". Department Of Arts and Culture. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- ^ "National Reconciliation Day 2018". South African Government. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- ^ "Day of Reconciliation 2019". South African Government. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- ^ "President Cyril Ramaphosa to virtually deliver Reconciliation Day keynote address, 16 Dec". South African Government. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- ^ "Reconciliation Month 2021". South African Government. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
- ^ "Minister Nathi Mthethwa: 2022 National Reconciliation Day". South African Government. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "December 16, the reflection of a changing South African heritage". South African History Online. 31 March 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ Bearak, Barry (16 December 2009). "Holiday of White Conquest Persists in South Africa". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ a b "Day of Reconciliation". Office Holidays. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ a b "Day of Reconciliation". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ Malathronas, John (12 September 2016). "City of change: Exploring new South Africa in old Pretoria". CNN. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ Anonymous (31 March 2011). "December 16, the reflection of a changing South African heritage". www.sahistory.org.za. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
- ^ a b "South Africa: Holiday Tradition Ends". The Galveston Daily News. 17 December 1994. Retrieved 9 July 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ O'Malley, Padraig. "Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) operations report – The O'Malley Archives". Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ Laing, Aislinn (5 February 2011). "Nelson Mandela's Spear of the Nation: the ANC's armed resistance". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ "The formation of Umkhonto We Sizwe". African National Congress. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ Sagolla, Lisa Jo (11 November 2010). "Collaborating Across Cultures". Back Stage. 51 (45): 6 – via EBSCOhost.
- ^ "Former Battleground Provides Perfect Setting for Day of Reconciliation". SA People News. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
- ISBN 9780812239768.
- ISBN 0521001943.
- ^ "Thousands Celebrate Day of Unity". The Times. 17 December 2009. Retrieved 26 October 2016 – via EBSCOhost.
- ^ "When To Go To South Africa". Go2Africa Pty (Ltd). Retrieved 16 February 2011"South Africans tend to take their annual holidays ... mid-December to late January"
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