The Debates concerning the Day of Reconciliation The Day of Reconciliation is a public holiday in South Africa that is observed annually on December 16th. It was established in 1994 after the end of apartheid to foster national unity and reconciliation among South Africans of different racial and cultural backgrounds. However, the holiday has been the subject of some debate and controversy over the years.
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About the Day of Reconciliation Historical
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. The date, 16 December, is significant because of two events that took place in South Africa’s very turbulent past. In 1838, the Voortrekkers were making their preparations to fight the Zulus at the Battle of Blood River.
Sources of Debates
For many South African, the Day of Reconciliation serves as a reminder of the miles we traveled in terms of striving to attain human rights for every South African citizen. However, there are those that believe that the day of reconciliation is redundant and serves no purpose, because of the following reasons:
- There is still a great inequality between white and black.
- Poverty is still rife in the black communities in the new South Africa despite the freedom and the reconciliation which took place.
- Black people still own almost no land as compared to white people
- Reconciliation serves no purpose if it doesn’t empower the victims
Source
https://southafrica.co.za/day-of-reconciliation.html
https://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/day-reconciliation-celebrated-public-holiday-sa-first-time
