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RECONCILIATION DAY

When is Reconciliation Day in 2024?

Reconciliation Day in 2024 is on the Monday, 16th of Dec (12/16/2024).

Reconciliation Day is on the 351th day of 2024. There are 15 days left in the year.

Reconciliation Day Facts

  • Date: Dec 16, 2024
  • National
  • Also Called:
  • Celebrations: Celebrations; cultural performances, parades, political speeches, tours, cooking
Reconciliation Day iImage Credit: Wikipedia

All good and evil come to an end. Horrid atrocities come to an end too, but memories still live with us. However, it gives us peace of mind to forget and reconcile with those who wronged us. Reconciliation Day was established in 1994, as a way for the South Africans to heal and bring harmony to their country after going through the apartheid and racial segregation suffering. It is, therefore, a day to celebrate the fall of the apartheid regime and a reminder to move away from divisive politics. South Africa observes Reconciliation Day as a public day on 16th December every year.

History of Reconciliation Day

The history of Reconciliation Day can be traced to the suffering of the black people of South Africa under the auspices of colonialism.

The date 16th December has great significance to South Africans because of two historical events.

On 16th December 1863, the Voortrekkers took a vow before God that they would build a church if they were granted victory in the Battle of Blood River against the Zulus. This day was initially observed as the Day of the Vow.

The second historical event signifies the formation of the African National Congress’s (ANC) military wing. The group was popularly known as Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) translated to the spear of the nation. The group aimed at fighting apartheid through acts of sabotage and violent resistance. On 16th December 1961, the first act of sabotage and bomb blasts against government buildings was witnessed. Unfortunately, the group’s effectiveness was short lived due to organization challenges and the arrest of its key leaders.

The date 16th December was therefore selected as the Reconciliation Day because of its significance to the Afrikaner and liberation struggles.

The first Day of Reconciliation was observed on 16th December 1995, with the intent of fostering reconciliation, nation-building and promoting national unity among its people. It was held a year after Nelson Mandela was released from prison. It was also on this day that the Truth and Reconciliation group met for the very first time. Archbishop Desmond Tutu was in attendance, and he described the holiday as serving the need to heal the Apartheid wounds.

How to Celebrate Reconciliation Day

In most cases, the day is marked with political speeches, parades, cultural performances and honoring freedom fighters. Although these events vary from one year to the other, you can find out the events that will be going on in your area.

Take this day as an opportunity to learn about Reconciliation Day history first hand. You can tour the Johannesburg Apartheid museum and have a look at the apartheid artifacts throughout the 20th century. You can also visit the Battle of Blood River Monument located in KwaZulu-Natal. The monument has 64 bronze ox-wagons, and an extra one carved out of granite. There is also another monument dedicated to the memory of Zulu warriors who lost their lives in the battle. Indeed, visiting these places is the ultimate way to understand the story behind Reconciliation Day.

Reconciliation Day is a time to have a taste of the Afrikaner cuisine. The Afrikaans food is heavy on red meat which is often grilled or roasted. The cuisine also consists of plenty of potatoes, rice, and vegetables flavored with butter and sugar. Dried meat such as biltong (jerky) and droewors (dried sausage) are a typical dish that dates back to the old days.

All in one pot meals are very common to Afrikaners as well as a type of corn porridge with beans commonly known as ‘mieliepap.’ Generally, the South African cuisines are tied to the agriculture of the local tribes.

Being a public day and therefore a day off from work, it is a good excuse to get into a festive mood and prepare for other holidays such as Christmas, the Day of Goodwill and New Year. As a day off, most people spend the time partying with friends and attending family gatherings.,/p.

Reconciliation Day Observances

DAY
DATE
HOLIDAY NAME
  • Fri
  • Dec 16, 2016
  • Sat
  • Dec 16, 2017

List of National and Regional Public Holidays of South Africa in 2024

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
MondayMonJan 01, 2024Jan 01New Year's Day
ThursdayThuMar 21, 2024Mar 21Human Rights Day
FridayFriMar 29, 2024Mar 29Good Friday
SundaySunMar 31, 2024Mar 31Easter
MondayMonApr 01, 2024Apr 01Family Day
SaturdaySatApr 27, 2024Apr 27Freedom Day
WednesdayWedMay 01, 2024May 01Workers Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25Africa Day
SundaySunJun 16, 2024Jun 16Youth Day
MondayMonJun 17, 2024Jun 17Youth Day Holidays
ThursdayThuJul 18, 2024Jul 18Nelson Mandela's Birthday
FridayFriAug 09, 2024Aug 09National Women's Day
TuesdayTueSep 24, 2024Sep 24Heritage Day
MondayMonDec 16, 2024Dec 16Day of Reconciliation
WednesdayWedDec 25, 2024Dec 25Christmas Day
ThursdayThuDec 26, 2024Dec 26Day of Goodwill

List of Popular Celebration Days of United States in 2024

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
FridayFriJan 12, 2024Jan 12National Pharmacists Day
FridayFriJan 19, 2024Jan 19National Popcorn Day
FridayFriFeb 02, 2024Feb 02Groundhog Day
FridayFriFeb 02, 2024Feb 02National Wear Red Day
WednesdayWedFeb 07, 2024Feb 07National Signing Day
FridayFriFeb 09, 2024Feb 09National Pizza Day
TuesdayTueFeb 13, 2024Feb 13Galentine's Day
TuesdayTueFeb 13, 2024Feb 13National Pancake Day
WednesdayWedFeb 14, 2024Feb 14Valentine's Day
ThursdayThuFeb 15, 2024Feb 15National Bagel Day
SundaySunFeb 18, 2024Feb 18National Drink Wine Day
ThursdayThuFeb 22, 2024Feb 22National Margarita Day
ThursdayThuFeb 29, 2024Feb 29Leap Day
FridayFriMar 01, 2024Mar 01National Employee Appreciation Day
ThursdayThuMar 07, 2024Mar 07National Cereal Day
SundaySunMar 10, 2024Mar 10Daylight savings
MondayMonMar 11, 2024Mar 11National Napping Day
ThursdayThuMar 14, 2024Mar 14National Walkout Day
ThursdayThuMar 14, 2024Mar 14National Pi Day
WednesdayWedMar 20, 2024Mar 20National Proposal Day
SaturdaySatMar 23, 2024Mar 23National Puppy Day
SaturdaySatMar 30, 2024Mar 30National Doctor Day
WednesdayWedApr 03, 2024Apr 03National Walking Day
ThursdayThuApr 04, 2024Apr 04National Burrito Day
SundaySunApr 07, 2024Apr 07National Beer Day
ThursdayThuApr 11, 2024Apr 11National Pet Day
FridayFriApr 12, 2024Apr 12National Grilled Cheese Day
ThursdayThuMay 02, 2024May 02National Day Of Prayer
SundaySunMay 12, 2024May 12Mother's Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25National Towel Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25National Wine Day
FridayFriJun 07, 2024Jun 07National Donut Day
SaturdaySatJun 08, 2024Jun 08National Best Friends Day
SundaySunJun 16, 2024Jun 16Father's Day
FridayFriJun 21, 2024Jun 21National Selfie Day
SaturdaySatJun 22, 2024Jun 22National Kissing Day
SaturdaySatJul 13, 2024Jul 13National French Fry Day
SundaySunJul 14, 2024Jul 14National Nude Day
WednesdayWedJul 17, 2024Jul 17National Hot Dog Day
SundaySunJul 21, 2024Jul 21National Ice Cream Day
TuesdayTueJul 23, 2024Jul 23Amazon Prime Day
WednesdayWedJul 24, 2024Jul 24National Tequila Day
MondayMonJul 29, 2024Jul 29National Chicken Wing Day
ThursdayThuAug 01, 2024Aug 01National Girlfriends Day
SundaySunAug 04, 2024Aug 04National Sister Day
WednesdayWedSep 18, 2024Sep 18National Cheeseburger Day
ThursdayThuOct 03, 2024Oct 03National Boyfriends Day
FridayFriOct 04, 2024Oct 04National Vodka Day
FridayFriOct 04, 2024Oct 04National Taco Day
WednesdayWedOct 09, 2024Oct 09Leif Erikson Day
SaturdaySatOct 19, 2024Oct 19Sweetest Day
TuesdayTueOct 29, 2024Oct 29National Cat Day
ThursdayThuOct 31, 2024Oct 31Halloween
SundaySunNov 03, 2024Nov 03National Sandwich Day
FridayFriNov 29, 2024Nov 29Black Friday
MondayMonDec 02, 2024Dec 02Cyber Monday
SaturdaySatDec 07, 2024Dec 07Candle Day
MondayMonDec 09, 2024Dec 09National Pastry Day
FridayFriDec 20, 2024Dec 20National Ugly Sweater day