the brief history linked to the day of reconciliation day
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For Afrikaners, 16 December was commemorated as the Day of the Vow,[1] also known as Day of the Covenant or Dingaan's dag (Dingaan's Day).[12] The Day of the Vow was a religious holiday commemorating the Voortrekker victory over the Zulus at the Battle of Blood River in 1838,[2] and is still celebrated by some Afrikaners.[13] On that day, 470 Voortrekkers were attacked in an early morning battle led by Dingane's generals.[12] The Voortrekkers defeated the Zulus who numbered in the 10-thousands and during the battle, 3,000 Zulu warriors were killed.[12] The event became a "rallying point for the development of Afrikaner nationalism, culture and identity."[12]
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 the God of Christianity.[12] The General Synod of the Afrikaners' Natal Churches chose 16 December as "an ecclesiastical day of thanksgiving by all its congregations" in 1864.[12] Later, in 1894, Dingane's Day was declared a public holiday by the Government of the Free State.[12]
During the Apartheid era, 16 December continued to be celebrated as the Day of the Vow[14] and the Day of the Covenant.[15] In 1952, Dingane's Day was changed to Day of the Covenant and in 1980 was changed to The Day of the Vow.[15] The Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria was erected on 16 December 1949 to commemorate Dingane's Day.[16][17]
The last year Afrikaners celebrated Day of the Vow was in 1994.[18] The transition from Day of the Vow to Day of Reconciliation was viewed with mixed emotions for Afrikaners.[18]
African origins
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Africans who did not have the right to vote after the South African War protested racial discrimination on 16 December 1910.[12] Other protests against the government dealing with racial discrimination continued to be held on 16 December. In 1929, 1930 and 1934, anti-pass demonstrations were held by the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA) on that day.[12] The All African Convention (AAC) was held during the same time in 1935, covering dates 15 December through 18 December.[12]
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.[10] The decision to move to armed resistance happened after the ANC was banned by the government.[19] Nelson Mandela believed that non-violent resistance was not working to stop Apartheid, and advocated acts of sabotage.[20] 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.[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.[12] 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 organsations."[21]
The Day of Reconciliation is a federal celebration in South Africa held yearly on 16 December. The holiday came into impression in 1995 after the conclusion of apartheid, with the purpose of encouraging reconciliation and social solidarity for the nation. The date was picked because it was meaningful to both Afrikaner and African societies. The administration chose a meaningful day for both ethnic organizations because they understand the necessity for national harmony. The celebration of the Day of Reconciliation can take the kind of memorizing past records, recognizing veteran's participation, marching, and other celebrations.