Get Irie On The Sunset Deck At Strolla ...
Live reggae music every Saturday at Strolla: sprawl out on the Corona Sunset Deck as the ...
Day of Reconciliation (Public Holiday)
Different racial groups stand together for the sake of the future of South Africa
Coming into effect after the 1994 democratic elections, the Day of Reconciliation – 16 December – was inaugurated to help South Africans reconcile the horrors of the past and the promise of a shared future together, regardless of race, culture or creed.
However, during the Apartheid era, 16 December was known as Day of the Vow (also known as Day of the Covenant or Dingaan's Day). The public holiday was created to commemorate a vow taken by the Voortrekkers, a group of Afrikaaners who had moved inland to escape the clutches of British colonialism, in preparation for a battle with the Zulu people with which they were having a land dispute.
The Voortrekkers, who had moved onto and claimed the Zulu people’s land, took a vow before God that they would build a church for their descendants to observe the day as a day of thanksgiving should they be granted victory. More than 10 000 Zulu troops under the command of Dambuza (Nzobo) and Nhlela attacked the Voortrekkers on 16 December 1838, but the 470 Voortrekkers, with the advantage of gunpowder, warded them off. Only three Voortrekkers were wounded, but more than 3 000 Zulus were killed during what would become known as the ‘Battle of Blood River’.
In the 1920s and 1930s the public holiday became a day on which the divide between white South Africans and black South Africans became especially gaping. Those who felt discriminated against by the nation’s unfair laws began staging protests and holding meetings on this day to communicate their dissent and to rally against a day that celebrated the Afrikaans conquest of the indigenous African. Even into the 1960s, the day retained significance; on 16 December 1961 uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) (Spear of the Nation) the military wing of the ANC announced its existence by launching its first acts of sabotage.
With the advent of democracy and a gallant gesture by the new government in South Africa, 16 December retained its status as a public holiday, however, this time with the intent of building a nation and unity amongst its people.
Check out our overview of things to do on the Day of Reconciliation in Cape Town.
2018 CALENDAR OF PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN SOUTH AFRICA
|
1 JAN |
|
|
21 MAR |
|
|
30 MAR |
|
|
1 APR |
|
|
27 APR |
|
|
1 MAY |
|
|
16 JUN |
|
|
9 AUG |
|
|
24 SEP |
|
|
16 DEC |
|
|
25 DEC |
|
|
26 DEC |
|
Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, join our Google+ circle, connect with us on LinkedIn, check out our photos on Instagram and follow our Pinterest boards for updates on what’s happening in and around the Mother City!
Plan your year with our nifty overview of public holidays in South Africa. Alternatively, have a squiz at our guide to annual December events to find out about more hot happenings taking place during the month.
---
Check out our events section for an up-to-date overview of happenings in Cape Town. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and if you have a smartphone, add m.capetownmagazine.com to your home screen for quick access on the go!
