CapeTownMagazine.com

Day of Reconciliation (South African Public Holiday)

For Moments of Joy
Unwrapping Cape Town with you.
Un-clicking the clique-iness
 
+27(0)72 350 2062
Cape Town & Surrounds
www.capetownmagazine.com/subscribe
excitement@capetownmagazine.com
CapeTownMag
CapeTownMagazine.com
CapeTownMag

Day of Reconciliation (South African Public Holiday)

A SA public holiday where all racial groups are invited to come together to promote reconciliation and national unity for the future of South Africa

In South Africa, the Day of Reconciliation is a public holiday that was created post-1994 by SA’s first non-racial and democratic government with the intention to foster reconciliation between different racial groups and aimed at promoting national unity and focusing people’s attention on the shared future of South Africa.

And, it’s perhaps best encapsulated by beloved former president Nelson Mandela’s words in his 1996 speech at St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town:

WATCH: NELSON MANDELA ON RECONCILIATION AND UNITY

In 2018, 16 December falls on a Sunday, which means that the following Monday 17 December is a public holiday. Long weekend anyone? Discover exciting and interesting things to do over the Day of Reconciliation weekend.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF 16 DECEMBER
The date of the annual observance, 16 December, traditionally held significance for different groups of South Africans. Previously known as the Day of the Vow in Afrikaner culture, it marked the commemoration of the Battle of Blood River in 1838.

More recently, though, 16 December 1961 was the day of the formation of the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC), Umkhonto we Sizwe (the Spear of the Nation). This is important as it marked a turning point in SA history where the ANC launched an armed struggle against the then-ruling apartheid government.

Before this day, the ANC promoted mainly passive resistance. But the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960 changed all of that. Police indiscriminately opening fire on peaceful protestors sparked the creation of Umkhonto we Sizwe the following year. The rest is history. And Umkhonto we Sizwe has been celebrated on 16 December ever since.

A NEW MEANING: DAY OF RECONCILIATION
South Africa’s first democratically-elected government under former president Nelson Mandela in 1994 ventured to give 16 December a new meaning in the minds of South Africans. The aim was to take the day, which had significance for various cultural groups, and change its symbolism to one of promoting reconciliation and unity. And on 16 December 1995, the first-ever Day of Reconciliation was celebrated as a public holiday in South Africa – as it has been ever since.

 

CALENDAR OF PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN SOUTH AFRICA

JANUARY

1 JAN

New Year's Day

MARCH

21 MAR

Human Rights Day

30 MAR

Good Friday

APRIL

1 APR

Family Day (Easter Sunday)

27 APR

Freedom Day

MAY

1 MAY

Worker’s Day

JUNE

16 JUN

Youth Day

AUGUST

9 AUG

National Women's Day

SEPTEMBER

24 SEP

Heritage Day

DECEMBER

16 DEC

Day of Reconciliation

25 DEC

Christmas Day

26 DEC

Day of Goodwill

---
Explore things to do this Day of Reconciliation in Cape Town and new events every weekend.

Discover more events in December, as well as things to do over Christmas in Cape Town and where to find exciting New Year’s Eve parties.

---
Use our events section for an up-to-date overview of what’s happening in the city, suburbs and dorpies. Join our newsletter and add us to your mobile home screen for the ultimate guide to discoveries in Cape Town.

Follow and like us on Twitter ❤ Facebook ❤ LinkedIn ❤ Instagram ❤ Pinterest for updates.

Cape Town Events Calendar
October 2024
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31

Trail's End Bike HotelTeam building, stylish conferencing & ...

Ultimate work-play-and-stay hub, Trail’s End

Pear TreeThe hidden seaside bistro on the ...

Sushi calamari, miso sirloin & rice krispies milkshakes

Char'd Grill 2024Meat appreciation platter at a ...

3 cuts selected by the chef, with bone marrow and garlic rolls

mischu 2024Weekends are for mischu

You can get breakfast and coffee with the R99 brunch special

Filini interiorFilini at Radisson Cape Town Foreshore

Tiramisu martinis, lasagne crocchetta and a buzzy rooftop bar

Cannibisters 2024Cape Town’s very own cannabis club, ...

Now with over 90 strains of weed and The Serenity Room

Off-road adventure at Scootours BanhoekBest day ever? Monster Mountain ...

Scootours Banhoek has scooters, vine bikes and archery

Escape rooms Cape TownPossibly the best escape room in the ...

HintHunt’s Marble is being called “the king of escape rooms”

Char'd Grill & Wine BarSpirit tastings and unique cuts at ...

Gin atomiser, brandy tastings and chef recommendations

Milk on the Beach 2024Reasons to visit this beach-side family ...

Ramen by the sea, a build-your-own waffle bar & 5 more

GiveawaysTravel Tips