Explain the debates concerning The day of reconciliation
Answers
Answer:
Explanation:
The 16th of December became known as the Day of Reconciliation in 1995, when our Government sought to recognize the significance of this date for both the liberation movement and the Afrikaner community. It was first celebrated as the “Dingane Day” and stood for the triumph of the Voortrekkers against the Zulu army led by King Dingane at the ‘Battle of Blood River’.
On 16 December, 1961, Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) was launched as an armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC). (People’s War).
This day provides us with a unique opportunity to reflect on the road we have travelled to establish a truly democratic state in South Africa and to create a society where people are valued according to the contribution they are making to the development of our country rather than their ideological persuasion, race, creed or gender.
We must all recall that on 4 January 1974, Harry Schwarz, leader of the liberal-reformist wing of the United Party, met with uMntwana waKwaPhindangene, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and signed a five-point plan for racial peace in South Africa, which came to be known as the Mahlabatini Declaration of Faith.
The declaration stated that “the situation of South Africa in the world scene as well as internal community relations requires, in our view, an acceptance of certain fundamental concepts for the economic, social and constitutional development of our country”. The declaration’s purpose was to provide a blueprint for government of South Africa for racial peace in South Africa. It called for negotiations involving all peoples, in order to draw up constitutional proposals stressing opportunity for all with a Bill of Rights to safeguard these rights. It suggested that the federal concept was the appropriate framework for such changes to take place. It also affirmed that political change must take place through non-violent means.
We must also recall that all talks were preceded by the Record of Understanding between the ANC and NP government. To this end the ANC delegation advised the South African Government that it would recommend to its National Executive Committee that the process of negotiation be resumed, where after extensive bilateral discussions were held. These meetings entailed discussions with a view to remove obstacles towards the resumption of negotiations and focused on the identification of steps to be taken to address issues raised in earlier memoranda. The discussions took note of various opposing viewpoints on the relevant issues and obstacles.
Furthermore, the negotiations began with a meeting between the African National Congress and the then South African government on 4 May 1990 at the presidential residence, Groote Schuur at that time.
This resulted in the Groote Schuur Minute, a commitment between the two parties towards the resolution of the existed climate of violence and intimidation as well as the removal of practical obstacles to negotiation including immunity from prosecution for returning exiles and the release of political prisoners.
Therefore, we are sick and tired about the ANC’s insane utterances of being obsessed about the IFP. They always accuse us of being working with apartheid oppressors. Surprisingly, it is the ANC itself that worked with the South Africa’s once all-powerful National Party, which ruled the country with its apartheid policies for 46 years. The NNP vanished from the political map after joining the African National Congress, the arch-enemy it once sought to crush. This further resulted to Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk to be appointed minister of tourism and environmental affairs in President Thabo Mbeki’s government. ?
IFP believes that the focus of the National Day of Reconciliation must be on nation building and the eradication of racism in our society.
We call for concrete action to eradicate the sources and causes of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. We further call upon all citizens to speak out against racism and to lay charges against anyone who promotes racism. These individuals who promote racism must not destroy our peace and the joy in our country.
Tackling racism is key to ensuring that reconciliation is not just celebrated as a national holiday, but is a reality for all South Africans. Until justice and equality are not attained, then reconciliation itself is still work in progress.
thank you
Answer:
- The Day of Reconciliation is celebrated annually on 16th December in South Africa.
- It is celebrated to commemorate the end of apartheid in 1995.
- it celebrated the attainment of basic human rights and national unity.
- The day was of significance to the Afrikaners as well for it was the day of Voortrekker victory over the Zulus in 1838.
- however the purpose of this day is still debated and considered useless because the black people are still not considered on equal footing with the whites.
- in addition, they still don't own land and are not empowered enough, making the whole celebration seem redundant.
- The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission as well as Nelson Mandela chose this date as there was a special significance for both the ethnic communities and to bring harmony amidst them.
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