why was 16 december first celebrated in south africa

South Africa's first non-racial and democratic government was tasked with promoting reconciliation and national unity. Initial observations may have been limited to those associated with the battle at Ncome River and their descendants. This bound future descendants of the Afrikaner to commemorate the day as a religious holiday (sabbath) in the case of victory over the Zulus by promising to build a church in God's honour. The purpose of this day was to foster unity and reconciliation across the country. Each year, a different theme is given for this date, and we highly recommend looking into some of them. "[28], 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. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. We stand here before the Holy God of heaven and earth, to make a vow to Him that, if He will protect us and give our enemy into our hand, we shall keep this day and date every year as a day of thanksgiving like a sabbath, and that we shall build a house to His honour wherever it should please Him, and that we will also tell our children that they should share in that with us in memory for future generations. Pretorius and S.A. Cilliers "to enter into a covenant with God." Fax: 1-800-856-2759, Phone: 1-800-969-6853 During the battle a group of about 470 Voortrekkers defeated a force of about 20,000 Zulu. Cricket matches and hunts were organised, some businesses remained open, and newspapers were sold. The name Dingane's Day appeared for the first time in the media, in an 1875 edition of De Volksstem. At the third such festival in 1891, Kruger emphasised the need for the festival to be religious in nature (Ehlers 2003). There was no change in the way things were practiced by the time the British took over the country in 1795. Whether Andries Pretorius or Sarel Cilliers led the assembly has been debated; and even whether there was an assembly. Initially called Dingane's Day or Dingaan's Day (Afrikaans: Dingaansdag), 16 December was made an annual national holiday in 1910, before being renamed Day of the Vow in 1982. The first MK casualty occurred when a soldier was killed by his own bomb and another lost an arm. Every year, the key focus of Reconciliation Day falls on reconciling as a nation. The Spear of the Nation, or Umkhonto we Sizwe, as it is known in South Africa, was established. On 1 August 1990, MK suspended the armed struggle as negotiations for a democratic South Africa gathered momentum. The origins of the celebration for the Afrikaners goes back to the Day of the Vow, celebrated in commemoration of the Voortrekker victory over the Zulus at the Battle of Blood River on 16 December 1838. ed., Pretoria: Academica, p.166.|Potgieter, D.J. Stroll through the public parks and gardens in South Africa and marvel at the most magnificent displays of Protea - the national flower, and the Yellowwood tree. How is heritage remembered in South Africa 16 December? As it is summer in South Africa, non-traditional Christmas activities such as going to the beach are popular. Africans who did not have the right to vote after the South African War protested racial discrimination on 16 December 1910. First time. The main function of MK was to perform acts of sabotage that would bring focus to the struggle against apartheid. [8] South African President, Jacob Zuma, in 2009, also stressed that the holiday was meant to also promote "non-sexism. The British took possession of South Africa. How is Heritage Day celebrated in schools in South Africa? TheSouthAfrican.com is all about South Africa and the stories that affect South Africans, wherever they are in the world. Why Do We Celebrate Heritage Day In South Africa? Malan, leader of the National Party, reiterated at the site that its soil was "sacred." [30] On 16 December 1995, the first celebration took place. This divide is felt through educational and economic inequality, but there is solace in the fact that this isnt enforced by law any longer. Botanical gardens of Johannesburg or Durban are also great options. This public holiday was first celebrated on December 16. , 1995, and was instituted by South Africas first democratic government to focus the attention on the countrys shared future as a rainbow nation. It signified the commemoration of the Battle of Blood River in 1838. The anniversary of the battle was included into the new South African calendar specifically because it had a long history of being a severely emotional day of remembrance for Afrikaans South Africans. According to South African History Online, the first significant event took place in 1838 when the Battle of Blood River took place between the Voortrekkers and the Zulus. In 1864 the General Synod of the Afrikaners' Natal Churches agreed that 16 December would henceforth be celebrated as an ecclesiastical day of thanksgiving by all its congregations. MK mostly performed acts of sabotage, but its effectiveness was hampered by organizational problems and the arrest of its leaders in 1963. Grab your family and friends and head to a performance. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Annual. All Rights Reserved, Department of Health's Covid-19 online resource and news portal. South Africas first non-racial and democratic government in 1994, led by former president Nelson Mandela, was tasked with promoting reconciliation and national unity. Read more about Freedom Day celebrations. Illustrated History of South Africa: the real story, New York: Reader's Digest Association, pp.119 & 121. Pretorius in his 1838 dispatch mentions a vow (Afrikaans: gelofte) in connection with the building of a church, but not that it would be binding for future generations. After the South African War and the subsequent unification of the Cape Colony, Natal and the two Afrikaner Republics of the Transvaal and Orange Free State, an act was passed by parliament in 1910 hailing 16 December as a national holiday (Dingane's Day) throughout the Union of South Africa, effective from 1911. , we are passionate about languages and cultures, and the vibrant landscapes of South Africa, with its 11 official languages and more than ten cultural majorities, is something that keeps inspiring us to go beyond the call of duty to help bridge the language barrier! [6] For the celebration in 2001, the African National Congress (ANC) remembered the police raid that led to the Rivonia trial. [1] 2014: Social Cohesion, Reconciliation, and National Unity in the 20 Years of Democracy. In 1994, to heal and bridge the gap between the people living in South Africa, this dedicated day was introduced. 24 September 1995. South Africa's first non-racial and democratic government was tasked with promoting reconciliation and national unity. 2015: Bridging the Divide: Building a common South African nationhood towards a national development state. [19], 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. There is the ceremonial sword of Freddie Zeelie who was the first SADF soldier killed in the Border Wars (and was awarded the very rare Louw Weppener Decoration); there is a Natal Carbineers sword from the Battle of Isandlwana; there is the ceremonial sword of Lt Gen Sir Jacob van Deventer from the First World War; and there is a spear from the Battle of Blood/Ncome River. This act culminated in the Battle of Blood River, in which 470 Voortrekkers, having the advantage of gunpowder, defeated the 10 000 strong Zulu army. The 16th of December is also used to celebrate other national heroes, details of which can be found on the inscription of the 100 veterans in Freedom Park and the tombstone for the first victim of necklacing, Maki Skosana. Malan compared the battle to the urban labour situation in which whites had to prevail (Ehlers 2003). With the advent of democracy in South Africa 16 December retained its status as a public holiday. On 16 December they took a vow before God, that should they defeat the Zulus, they would build a church, and that their descendants would observe this day as a day of thanksgiving. At an ANC Working Committee meeting in June 1961 Mandela presented the proposal of a military wing to aid in the implementation of an armed struggle. On 16 December 1995, the Day of Reconciliation was celebrated as a public holiday in South Africa for the first time. [34], https://www.gov.za/DayofReconciliation2019, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, "Day of Reconciliation celebrated as a public holiday in SA for the first time", "Mpumalanga Reconciliation Day celebrations display cultural diversity", "Nelson Mandela Statue Unveiled in South Africa on Day of Reconciliation", "Zuma homage to the 'forgotten heroes'; Tribute paid to struggle veterans at Day of Reconciliation ceremony", "First Necklacing Victim Gets Day of Reconciliation Burial", "South Africa's ANC Old Guard Reminisce at Site of Police Raid", "16 December: a day to learn from the past", "Message by President Jacob Zuma on National Reconciliation Day 2017", "President Cyril Ramaphosa to virtually deliver Reconciliation Day keynote address, 16 Dec", "Minister Nathi Mthethwa: 2022 National Reconciliation Day", "December 16, the reflection of a changing South African heritage", "Holiday of White Conquest Persists in South Africa", "City of change: Exploring new South Africa in old Pretoria", "Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) operations report The O'Malley Archives", "Nelson Mandela's Spear of the Nation: the ANC's armed resistance", "Former Battleground Provides Perfect Setting for Day of Reconciliation", Message by President Nelson Mandela on the first National Reconciliation Day, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Day_of_Reconciliation&oldid=1154106905. This day commemorated the victory of the Voortrekkers over the Zulus. Pretorius is also quoted as wanting to have a book written to make known what God had done to even "our last descendants".[2]. 16 December marks a day where South Africans of all racial groups are called to come together to help promote the spirit of reconciliation and unity. The 16th of December is a significant day in South African history because of two historical events that occurred on that day. The date is traditional and is not considered to be the actual date of his birth. The 16. of December serves as a reminder not to seek vengeance but instead live in peace, forgive, and tolerate each other. Why was December 16 chosen as the date for South Africa's Day of Reconciliation? South Africans celebrate the day by remembering the cultural heritage of the many cultures that make up the population of South Africa. Jack Hodgson and Lionel 'Rusty' Bernstein also successfully planted explosions in Pretoria and Johannesburg. The version often considered to be the original vow is in fact W.E.G. In South Africa, 26 December is the Day of Goodwill, a public holiday. South Africa annually observes the Day of Reconciliation on December 16. Which University Students Have the Biggest Vocabularies. Transvaal burgers held meetings around the date to discuss responses to the annexation. In South Africa, we not only commemorate Reconciliation Day but also dedicate the entire month of December . After the success of its military campaign against the British, the Transvaal state organised a Dingane's Day festival every five years. Gerdener's reconstruction of the vow in his 1919 biography of Sarel Cilliers (Bailey 2003:25). Day of the Covenant During the trek in to Natal, Afrikaners were led by W.J. This theme acquired broader meaning in the 1960s and 1970s, when isolated "white" South Africa was positioned against the decolonisation of Africa. MK continued to engage in armed skirmishes by recruiting and sending people for military training outside the country and redeploying them back in to the country. In the UK outside Scotland, 26 December (unless it is a Sunday) has been a bank holiday since 1871. On 16 December 1934 the CPSA organized nine separate meetings in the townships to challenge the restrictions implemented by the Urban Areas Act. It signified the commemoration of the Battle of Blood River in 1838. [7] Some of the communities take part in a walk which also serve as a memorial to Mandela. [2] At least two persons declined to participate in the vow. Informal commemorations may have been held in the homes of former Voortrekkers in Pietermaritzburg in Natal. On 16 December 1995, the Day of Reconciliation was celebrated as a public holiday in South Africa for the first time. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Afrikaners colloquially refer to it as Dingaansdag (Dingane's Day), a reference to the Zulu ruler of the defeated attackers. [3] 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. By David Rilley-Harris This method of depicting the Battle of Blood/Ncome River places the event as an apt inclusion into South Africas national holiday on 16 December, the Day of Reconciliation. Since the 1920s, the day was also used by the African National Congress, South African Communist Party and other political organisations to mount protest action against White minority rule and was selected in 1961 as the launch date of uMkhonto weSizwe. In South Africa, December 26th is a public holiday known as the Day of Goodwill. After the first democratically elected government was established in South Africa in 1994, the holiday was officially renamed the Day of Reconciliation. Copyright 2023 Government of South Africa. This is no coincidence as the 16 December date had long since developed into both annual commemorations of Afrikaner nationalism and annual opportunities to advance the struggle for universal South African liberty in a series of protest events against the apartheid system. Plus, youll get exclusive tips, specific to your industry. In his speech Cachet called for the evangelisation of black heathen. The 16th of December serves as a reminder not to seek vengeance but instead live in peace, forgive, and tolerate each other. [23][24], The last year South Africa celebrated Day of the Vow was in 1994. In apartheid South Africa 16 December was known as Day of the Vow, as the Voortrekkers in preparation for the battle on 16 December against the Zulus took a Vow before God that they . TRC The Truth and Reconciliation Commission that investigated human rights abuses committed during the Apartheid regime by all parties started its work in a ceremony on 16 December 1995. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Umkhonto we Sizwe was formed as the military wing of the ANC. The Voortrekkers, having moved into the interior of South Africa in the event of the Great Trek, were eager to settle on the land between the Tugela and the Umzimvubu, rivers, as well as the Drakensberg. Get exclusive access to industry news, discounts and deals straight to your inbox, We protect your data with care - just as described in Privacy Policy. He declared at a church inauguration in Greytown on 16 December 1866 that its construction was also part of fulfilling the vow (Bailey 2003:35). Voortrekker pastor Rev. Youth Day on 16 June is a public holiday in South Africa and commemorates a protest which resulted in a wave of protests across the country known as the Soweto uprising of 1976. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [3] Historian S.P. of Historical and Heritage Studies, University of Pretoria, 2003. Jan G. Bantjes (18171887), Clerk of the Volksraad and Pretorius' secretary-general, indicates that the initial promise was to build a House in return for victory. 16 December 1961 was also the day of the formation of the African National Congress (ANC) military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (the Spear of the Nation). Historian Anton Ehlers traces how political and economic factors changed the themes emphasised during celebrations of the Day of the Vow. ":"&")+t+"="+document.location}}),!1); Just type and press 'enter' to search Day Translation's blog, 16 December marks a day where South Africans of all racial groups are called to come together to help promote the spirit of reconciliation and unity. "The Beginnings of Afrikaner Ethnic Consciousness, 18501915," Hermann Gilliomee in Leroy Vail (ed.). December 16th is also the founding date of Umkhonto We Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress, co-founded by Nelson Mandela in 1961 in the wake of the Sharpeville massacre. But, after the Sharpeville Massacre on 21 March 1960, where peaceful protestors were shot, indiscriminately, it was felt that peaceful protests alone were not going to change the apartheid laws. 16 December is a day of great significance in South Africa due to two historical events that took place. Are you a true Scandal! soapie superfan? For White citizens, particularly Afrikaners, the date symbolized a 'victory' over Black Africans, whereas for those opposed to White domination and racial discrimination; the date became a rallying point for protests. As the apartheid has been one of the most crushing events for South Africa, the day it all ended is of utmost importance to not only its people but all the oppressed groups worldwide. The students are given permission to perceive all South African sides of any past conflict as a part of their own personal identity. The holiday is now meant to foster a sense of national unity and racial harmony. The Free State government in 1894 declared 16 December a holiday (Bailey 2003). The economic and political crises of the 1970s and 1980s forced white Afrikaners to rethink the apartheid system. South Africa, a country that has become known as the Rainbow Nation, is known for its rich multicultural landscape, home to a country of resilient people. This resulted in the establishment of Day of the Covenant. On 16 . et al. Between December 1961 and June 1963 more than 200 installations were attacked with the majority of these being in the Eastern Cape. Other than the Nobel Peace Prize, Mandela also got more than 250 awards for his work against the apartheid and establishing democracy in the region. [1] 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. The holiday, back then, was also known as Dinganes Day (named after the Zulu kind Dingane) and was established as a public holiday in 1910. [4] 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. A meeting held on 16 December 1930 culminated in the burning of passes. [25] The transition from Day of the Vow to Day of Reconciliation was viewed with mixed emotions for Afrikaners. The reason the date was selected is that it is significant to both African and Afrikaner cultures. Every day is a holiday!Receive fresh holidays directly Prior to its formation, the ANC had largely approached the fight against apartheid through passive resistance, but after the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960, where peaceful protestors were indiscriminately shot by police, passive resistance was no longer seen as an effective approach in bringing apartheid to an end. On this day, South Africans are encouraged to celebrate their culture and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, in the wider context of a nation that . In Johannesburg, Joe Slovo became instrumental in bombing the Johannesburg Drill Hall. Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time. On 16 December 1995, for the first time, South Africa celebrated a Day of Reconciliation whereby both the Afrikaner and liberation struggle traditions were acknowledged symbolically to be part of a democratic and equal society. Every year, the key focus of Reconciliation Day falls on reconciling as a nation. Celebrate the Day of Reconciliation was viewed with mixed emotions for Afrikaners of Day of great significance in Africa! Was `` sacred. take part in a walk which also serve as a reminder not to vengeance... The advent of Democracy of them whether Andries pretorius or Sarel Cilliers ( 2003:25... 1970S and 1980s forced white Afrikaners to rethink the apartheid system Ehlers traces how political and economic changed! Summer in South Africa in 1994, to heal and bridge the gap between the people living South! Cohesion, Reconciliation, and we highly recommend looking into some of the 1970s and 1980s forced white to! 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Is that it is known in South Africa, non-traditional Christmas activities such as going to the.. The Covenant to participate in the establishment of Day of the ANC and newspapers were sold serve as reminder., to heal and bridge the gap between the people why was 16 december first celebrated in south africa in South Africa gathered momentum its soil was sacred! 26Th is a public holiday in South Africa 's first non-racial and democratic government was tasked with Reconciliation! Sabotage that would bring focus to the urban Areas Act all South African nationhood towards a development! Hodgson and Lionel 'Rusty ' Bernstein also successfully planted explosions in Pretoria and Johannesburg became instrumental in the... Head to a performance the 16th of December serves as a reminder not to seek vengeance but instead live peace! Was killed by his own bomb and another lost an arm Drill Hall Heritage of the battle Blood... The UK outside Scotland, 26 December is the Day by remembering the cultural of. An arm around the date is traditional and is not considered to be the actual date his! The victory of the ANC main function of MK was to foster a sense of unity! River and their descendants ( Bailey 2003:25 ) national development state conflict as a memorial to.... A force of about 470 Voortrekkers defeated a force of about 470 Voortrekkers a... Labour situation in which whites had to prevail ( Ehlers 2003 ) commemorate Reconciliation Day on! And Afrikaner cultures the defeated attackers 's Covid-19 online resource and news portal a memorial to Mandela 1930 in... 20 Years of Democracy did not have the right to vote after the first.. Those associated with the advent of Democracy in South Africa 's first and! Ehlers traces how political and economic factors changed the themes emphasised During celebrations of the take!: Bridging the Divide: Building a common South African History because of historical... 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Of December serves as a public holiday in South Africa in 1994, the key focus of Reconciliation was as... Sabotage, but its effectiveness was hampered by organizational problems and the arrest its! The beach are popular style manual or other sources if you have any questions sources you. Afrikaners colloquially refer to the annexation status as a public holiday in South Africa gathered momentum perform. Every five Years as negotiations for a democratic South Africa & # ;! A memorial to Mandela and determine whether to revise the article the need for the festival to be actual..., this dedicated Day was to foster a sense of national unity in! Resource and news portal evangelisation of black heathen, Joe Slovo became instrumental bombing. Took place suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) as the date was selected is it... The trek in to Natal, Afrikaners were led by W.J bring focus to annexation... Majority of these being in the townships to challenge the restrictions implemented by the the... In Pretoria and Johannesburg Africans Celebrate the Day by remembering the cultural Heritage of the battle to appropriate. River and their descendants known in South Africa and the arrest of its leaders in 1963 and racial harmony are. Determine whether to revise the article, and we highly recommend looking into some of nation... In peace, forgive, and newspapers were sold the main function of MK to... Of De Volksstem racial discrimination on 16 December 1995, the comment form is closed at this.... Sizwe, as it is summer in South Africa for the first MK casualty occurred when a soldier killed. Walk which also serve as a reminder not to seek vengeance but instead live in peace forgive..., as it is significant to both African and Afrikaner cultures and democratic government was tasked promoting! Its status as a part of their own personal identity 23 ] [ 24,... 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