Changes that were made to this public holiday ( 16 December Reconciliation day)
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Answer:
Initially 16 December was celebrated by Afrikaners as Dingaan's dag(Dingane's Day.) This was in celebration for what Voortrekkers viewed as a 'victory' over Zulu warriors near the Ncome River in KwaZulu Natal. On that day an estimated 10 000-20 000 Zulu warriors led by Dingane's generals Dambuza (Nzobo) and Ndlela kaSompisi attacked about 470 Voortrekkers at dawn. With the advantage of gun powder Zulu warriors were repelled with an estimated 3000 warriors killed. The blood of casualties flowed into Ncome River turning its water red earning it the nickname "Blood River". This earned the confrontation between Voortrekkers and Zulu regiments the name "Battle of Blood River". December 16 remained a rallying point for the development of Afrikaner nationalism, culture and identity.