Editing Day of Reconciliation

{{short description|Public holiday in South Africa on 16 December}}
{{Distinguish|National Day for Truth and Reconciliation|Reconciliation Day}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Use South African English|date=November 2012}}
{{Infobox holiday
|holiday_name  = Day of Reconciliation
|type          = national
|image         = File:Flag of South Africa.svg
|imagesize     =
|caption       = The [[Flag of South Africa|National flag]] largely represents peace and unity.
|official_name =
|nickname      = Reconciliation day
|observedby    = [[South Africa|Republic of South Africa]]
|litcolor      =
|longtype      =
|significance  =
|begins        =
|ends          =
|date          = 16 December 
|duration      = 1 day
|firsttime     = 16 December 1995
|celebrations  =
|observances   =
|relatedto     = [[Day of the Vow]]
}}
The '''Day of Reconciliation''' is a [[Public holidays in South Africa|public holiday]] in [[South Africa]] held annually on 16 December. The holiday came into effect in 1995 after the end of [[apartheid]], with the intention of fostering [[conflict resolution|reconciliation]] and national unity for the country.<ref name="info-gov-za">{{Cite web|title=Day of Reconciliation|url=http://www.gov.za/day-reconciliation|publisher=Government of South Africa|access-date=28 March 2017}}</ref> Recognising the need for racial harmony, the government chose the date for its significance to both [[Afrikaner]] and indigenous South African cultures. The celebration of the Day of Reconciliation can take the form of remembering past history, recognising veteran's contributions, marching, and other festivities.

The origins of the celebration for Afrikaners goes back to the [[Day of the Vow]], which commemorates the [[Voortrekkers|Voortrekker]] victory over the [[Zulu people|Zulus]] at the [[Battle of Blood River]] on 16 December 1838. For black and indigenous South Africans, the date marks both peaceful protests against [[racial injustice]] and the founding of the [[Umkhonto we Sizwe]] paramilitary wing of the [[African National Congress]] (ANC) on 16 December 1961. [[Nelson Mandela]] and the [[Truth and Reconciliation Commission (South Africa)|South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission]] chose a day that was special to both ethno-racial groups in the country in order to work on healing the damage done by apartheid.

==Date and observance==
The first time the Day of Reconciliation was celebrated as a [[public holiday]] was in 1995.<ref name=":0" /> The new government chose to represent national unity by choosing a date that had significance for "both the [[Afrikaners|Afrikaner]] and liberation struggle traditions".<ref name=":0" />

On Day of Reconciliation, cultural groups participate in [[parade]]s and various festivities take place throughout the country.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/9acbc1004af64e28b77cb72f1282c98c/Mpumalanga-Reconciliation-Day-celebrations-display-cultural-diversity- |title=Mpumalanga Reconciliation Day celebrations display cultural diversity |last=Wa Monareng |first=Motsebi |date=16 December 2015 |work=SABC |access-date=25 October 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026000004/http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/9acbc1004af64e28b77cb72f1282c98c/Mpumalanga-Reconciliation-Day-celebrations-display-cultural-diversity- |archive-date=26 October 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On Day of Reconciliation 2013, a statue of [[Nelson Mandela]], the first black president of South Africa, was unveiled at the [[Union Buildings]] in [[Pretoria]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/nelson-mandela-statue-unveiled-in-south-africa-on-day-of-reconciliation-1.1595107|title=Nelson Mandela Statue Unveiled in South Africa on Day of Reconciliation|date=16 December 2013|work=CTV News|access-date=25 October 2016}}</ref> During the celebration in 2009, President [[Jacob Zuma]] honored forgotten heroes of South Africa, including inscribing around 100 dead veteran's names on the Wall of Names at [[Freedom Park (South Africa)|Freedom Park]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-214607319.html|title=Zuma homage to the 'forgotten heroes'; Tribute paid to struggle veterans at Day of Reconciliation ceremony|last=Bateman|first=Barry|date=17 December 2009|work=The Star|access-date=9 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729092310/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-214607319.html|archive-date=29 July 2017|url-status=dead|url-access=}}</ref> In 2008, the first victim of "[[necklacing]]", [[Maki Skosana]], was given a [[Headstone|tombstone]] and remembered.<ref>{{Cite news|url=|title=First Necklacing Victim Gets Day of Reconciliation Burial|date=17 December 2008|work=Cape Times|access-date=|url-access=}}</ref> For the celebration in 2001, the [[African National Congress]] (ANC) remembered the police raid that led to the [[Rivonia Trial|Rivonia trial]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/12250824/|title=South Africa's ANC Old Guard Reminisce at Site of Police Raid|date=16 December 2001|work=The Index-Journal|access-date=9 July 2017|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Some of the communities take part in a walk which also serve as a memorial to Mandela.<ref name=":5" /> Other parts of South Africa have chosen to emphasize their need for racial harmony in their communities.<ref name=":5" />

Each year has had a different theme. For example:
* 2013: Nation Building, Social Cohesion, and Reconciliation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gov.za/invitation-reconciliation-day|title=Invitation to Reconciliation Day|date=11 December 2013|website=South African Government|access-date=25 October 2016}}</ref>
* 2014: Social Cohesion, Reconciliation, and National Unity in the 20 Years of Democracy.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.southafrica.info/about/history/day-of-reconciliation-161214.htm|title=16 December: a day to learn from the past|date=16 December 2014|website=South Africa.info|access-date=25 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205185611/http://www.southafrica.info/about/history/day-of-reconciliation-161214.htm|archive-date=5 December 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* 2015: Bridging the Divide: Building a common South African nationhood towards a national development state.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gov.za/day-reconciliation-2015|title=Day of Reconciliation 2015|date=16 December 2015|website=South African Government|access-date=25 October 2016}}</ref>
*2016: Bridging The Divide Towards A Non-Racist Society.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.za/speeches/day-reconciliation-2016-23-dec-2015-0953|title=Reconciliation Day 2016|website=South African Government|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref>
*2017: The Year of OR Tambo: Reconciliation through Radical Socio-Economic Transformation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dac.gov.za/content/message-president-jacob-zuma-national-reconciliation-day-2017|title=Message by President Jacob Zuma on National Reconciliation Day 2017|website=Department Of Arts and Culture|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref>
*2018: The Year of Nelson Mandela and [[Albertina Sisulu]]: Liberators for Reconciliation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.za/NationalReconciliationDay2018|title=National Reconciliation Day 2018|website=South African Government|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref>
*2019: The Year of [[Indigenous language|Indigenous Languages]]: Supporting National Reconciliation Through the Promotion, Development and Preservation of Indigenous Languages.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.za/DayofReconciliation2019|title=Day of Reconciliation 2019|website=South African Government|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref>
*2020: United In Action Against Racism, Gender-based Violence and Other Intolerances.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.za/speeches/president-cyril-ramaphosa-addresses-national-day-reconciliation-16-dec-15-dec-2020-0000|title=President Cyril Ramaphosa to virtually deliver Reconciliation Day keynote address, 16 Dec|website=South African Government|access-date=2020-12-16}}</ref>
*2021: The year of [[Charlotte Maxeke]]: Promoting Reconciliation During the 25th Anniversary of the [[Constitution of South Africa|Constitution]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.za/ReconciliationMonth2021|title=Reconciliation Month 2021|website=South African Government|access-date=2022-06-14}}</ref>
*2022: National Unity, Healing, and Renewal<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.za/speeches/minister-nathi-mthethwa-2022-national-reconciliation-day-16-dec-2022-0000|title=Minister Nathi Mthethwa: 2022 National Reconciliation Day|date=16 December 2022|website=South African Government|access-date=2022-06-14}}</ref>

== Origin ==
=== Afrikaner origins ===
{{See|Battle of Blood River|Day of the Vow}}

For Afrikaners, 16 December was commemorated as the [[Day of the Vow]],<ref name="info-gov-za" /> also known as Day of the Covenant or ''Dingaansdag'' (Dingaan's Day).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/article/december-16-reflection-changing-south-african-heritage|title=December 16, the reflection of a changing South African heritage|date=31 March 2011|publisher=South African History Online|access-date=25 October 2016}}</ref> The Day of the Vow was a religious holiday commemorating the [[Voortrekker]] victory over the [[Zulu Kingdom|Zulus]] at the [[Battle of Blood River]] in 1838,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/day-reconciliation-celebrated-public-holiday-sa-first-time|title=Day of Reconciliation celebrated as a public holiday in SA for the first time|date=16 March 2011|publisher=South African History Online|access-date=25 October 2016}}</ref> and is still celebrated by some Afrikaners.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/17/world/africa/17safrica.html|title=Holiday of White Conquest Persists in South Africa|last=Bearak|first=Barry|date=16 December 2009|work=The New York Times|access-date=25 October 2016}}</ref> On that day, 470 Voortrekkers were attacked in an early morning battle led by [[Dingane kaSenzangakhona|Dingane's]] generals.<ref name=":1" /> The Voortrekkers defeated the Zulus who numbered in the tens of thousands and during the battle, 3,000 Zulu warriors were killed.<ref name=":1" /> The event became a "rallying point for the development of [[Afrikaner nationalism]], culture and identity."<ref name=":1" />

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 in Christianity|God]].<ref name=":1" /> The General Synod of the Afrikaners' Natal Churches chose 16 December as "an [[Ecclesiology|ecclesiastical]] day of thanksgiving by all its congregations" in 1864.<ref name=":1" /> Later, in 1894, Dingane's Day was declared a public holiday by the Government of the [[Orange Free State]].<ref name=":1" />

During the [[Apartheid|Apartheid era]], 16 December continued to be celebrated as the Day of the Vow<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/south_africa/dayofreconciliation.php|title=Day of Reconciliation|publisher=Office Holidays|access-date=25 October 2016}}</ref> and the Day of the Covenant.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Day-of-Reconciliation|title=Day of Reconciliation|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=25 October 2016}}</ref> In 1952, Dingane's Day was changed to Day of the Covenant and in 1980 was changed to The Day of the Vow.<ref name=":3" /> The [[Voortrekker Monument]] in [[Pretoria]] was erected on 16 December 1949 to commemorate Dingane's Day.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/12/travel/pretoria-travel-south-africa/|title=City of change: Exploring new South Africa in old Pretoria|last=Malathronas|first=John|date=12 September 2016|publisher=CNN|access-date=25 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/article/december-16-reflection-changing-south-african-heritage|title=December 16, the reflection of a changing South African heritage|last=Anonymous|date=31 March 2011|publisher=www.sahistory.org.za|access-date=28 October 2016}}</ref>

The last year South Africa celebrated Day of the Vow was in 1994.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/12249261/|title=South Africa: Holiday Tradition Ends|date=17 December 1994|work=The Galveston Daily News|access-date=9 July 2017|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The transition from Day of the Vow to Day of Reconciliation was viewed with mixed emotions for Afrikaners.<ref name=":6" />

=== African origins ===
{{see|Umkhonto we Sizwe}}
Black and indigenous South Africans who did not have the right to [[Voting|vote]] after the [[Second Boer War|South African War]], protested [[Racism|racial discrimination]] on 16 December 1910.<ref name=":1" /> 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 [[South African Communist Party|Communist Party of South Africa]] (CPSA) on that day.<ref name=":1" /> The All African Convention (AAC) was held during the same time in 1935, covering dates 15 December through 18 December.<ref name=":1" />

Much later, when efforts of passive protest and resistance against apartheid had been unsuccessful, the [[African National Congress]] (ANC) decided to form a military or armed group.<ref name=":4" /> The decision to move to armed resistance happened after the ANC was banned by the government.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nelsonmandela.org/omalley/index.php/site/q/03lv02424/04lv02730/05lv02918/06lv02985.htm|title=Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) operations reportÂ – The O'Malley Archives|last=O'Malley|first=Padraig|website=Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory|access-date=9 July 2017}}</ref> Nelson Mandela believed that [[Nonviolent resistance|non-violent resistance]] was not working to stop Apartheid, and advocated acts of [[sabotage]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/8304153/Nelson-Mandelas-Spear-of-the-Nation-the-ANCs-armed-resistance.html|title=Nelson Mandela's Spear of the Nation: the ANC's armed resistance|last=Laing|first=Aislinn|date=5 February 2011|work=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=9 July 2017|language=en}}</ref> The date of 16 December is the anniversary of the 1961 founding of [[Umkhonto we Sizwe]] ("Spear of the Nation" or MK), the armed wing of the ANC.<ref name="info-gov-za" /> On that day, Umkhonto we Sizwe enacted its "first acts of sabotage" which included bomb blasts against government buildings in [[Johannesburg]], [[Port Elizabeth]] and [[Durban]].<ref name=":1" /> Also on 16 December 1961, the Umkhonto we Sizwe distributed leaflets describing how the group "will carry on the struggle for freedom and democracy by new methods, which are necessary to complement the actions of the established national liberation organisations."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.anc.org.za/content/formation-umkhonto-we-sizwe|title=The formation of Umkhonto We Sizwe|website=African National Congress|language=en|access-date=9 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729104548/http://www.anc.org.za/content/formation-umkhonto-we-sizwe|archive-date=29 July 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== Day of Reconciliation ===
[[Image:Desmond Tutu 2013-10-23 001.jpg|125px|thumb|right|[[Desmond Tutu]] spoke about the purpose of the holiday in 1995.]]
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."<ref name=":2" /> It was established by the government in 1994.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Sagolla|first=Lisa Jo|date=11 November 2010|title=Collaborating Across Cultures|url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=55463119&site=ehost-live|journal=Back Stage|volume=51|issue=45|page=6|url-access=subscription |via=EBSCOhost}}</ref> [[Nelson Mandela]] was part of the group of politicians that helped start the idea for the holiday.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sapeople.com/2014/12/16/south-africa-day-of-reconciliation-16-december/|title=Former Battleground Provides Perfect Setting for Day of Reconciliation|date=16 December 2014|work=SA People News|access-date=26 October 2016}}</ref> On 16 December 1995, the first celebration took place.<ref name=":0" /> The first meeting of the [[Truth and Reconciliation Commission (South Africa)|South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission]] also took place on 16 December 1995.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4H1Zf2P6tyMC&q=%22reconciliation%20day%22%20south%20africa&pg=PA276|title=Reconciliation in Divided Societies: Finding Common Ground|last1=Daly|first1=Erin|last2=Sarkin|first2=Jeremy|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press|year=2007|isbn=9780812239768|location=Philadelphia|pages=276}}</ref> In an address in 1995, Archbishop [[Desmond Tutu]] described the holiday as serving the need of healing the wounds of Apartheid.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zNFvbQzITxcC&q=%22day%20of%20reconciliation%22%20%22south%20africa%22&pg=PA14|title=The Politics of Truth and Reconciliation in South Africa: Legitimizing the Post-Apartheid State|last=Wilson|first=Richard A.|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2001|isbn=0521001943|location=Cambridge|pages=14}}</ref>

The holiday is also used to celebrate minority cultural groups in South Africa, such as the [[San people]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/c06405004af6af97ab6bbf2f1282c98c/SAundefinedcelebratesundefinedReconciliationundefinedDay-20151612|title=SA Celebrates Reconciliation Day|date=16 December 2015|work=SABC|access-date=25 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026165754/http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/c06405004af6af97ab6bbf2f1282c98c/SAundefinedcelebratesundefinedReconciliationundefinedDay-20151612|archive-date=26 October 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> South African President, [[Jacob Zuma]], in 2009, also stressed that the holiday was meant to also promote "non-sexism".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nfh&AN=7EH30689210&site=ehost-live|title=Thousands Celebrate Day of Unity|date=17 December 2009|work=The Times|url-access=subscription |access-date=26 October 2016|via=EBSCOhost}}</ref>

=== Other significance ===
It is the first of four public holidays observed at the height of the [[Southern Hemisphere]] summer, along with [[Christmas Day]], [[Boxing Day|Day of Goodwill]] and [[New Year's Day]]. Many small businesses close down and employees go on leave over this period.<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.go2africa.com/south-africa/african-safari-guide/when-to-go
|title = When To Go To South Africa
|publisher = Go2Africa Pty (Ltd)
|postscript = "South Africans tend to take their annual holidays ... mid-December to late January"
|access-date = 16 February 2011}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[South African apartheid referendum, 1992|South African apartheid referendum]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
* https://www.gov.za/DayofReconciliation2019

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131215044422/http://anc.org.za/show.php?id=3646 Message by President Nelson Mandela on the first National Reconciliation Day], 16 December 1995
* [http://www.capetownmagazine.com/public-holiday-day-of-reconciliation Day of Reconciliation]

{{South Africa Holidays}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Day Of Reconciliation}}
[[Category:December observances]]
[[Category:Public holidays in South Africa]]
[[Category:Society of South Africa]]
[[Category:History of KwaZulu-Natal]]