The Day of Reconciliation (Public Holiday)

Different racial groups stand together for the sake of the future of South Africa


The Day of Reconciliation is a public holiday with the intention to foster reconciliation between different racial groups. The holiday came into effect in 1994 after the end of Apartheid.

On 16 December 1838, about 10 00 Zulu troops under the command of Dambuza (Nzobo) and Nhlela attacked the Voortrekkers, but the 470 Voortrekkers, with the advantage of gun powder, warded them off. Only three Voortrekkers were wounded, but more than 3 000 Zulus were killed during the battle.

During Apartheid, 16 December was known as Day of the Vow. The Voortrekkers, in preparation for the battle, took a vow before God that they would build a church and that they and their descendants would observe the day as a day of thanksgiving should they be granted victory.

With the advent of democracy and a heroic gesture by the new government in South Africa, 16 December retained its status as a public holiday, however, this time with the purpose of fostering reconciliation and national unity.

January
1 January - New Year's Day

March
21 March - Human Rights Day

April
22 April - Good Friday
25 April - Family Day
27 April - Freedom Day

May
1/2 May - Workers Day

June
16 June - Youth Day

August
9 August - National Women's Day

September
24 September - Heritage Day

December
16 December      - Day of Reconciliation
25 December      - Christmas Day
26/27 December - Day of Goodwill

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Cape Town Events Calendar
December 2010
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mavericks modelsA night of ‘Marriage Guidance’ from ...

Every Friday is ‘Marriage Guidance’ night at Mavericks Revue Bar

Bosmans' Release 1Friday afternoons at Bosman Family ...

Wine tasting in Wellington

Glenelly 3Meat and cheese platters at Glenelly

Experience, see, drink and eat

Caveau Tapas at Caveau

Wind down on a Friday

La Vie Green PointMutha FM Fridays at La Vie

Start your weekend in Sea Point

Shakespeare in the ParkShakespeare’s comedy of errors

Shakespeare at Maynardville open air theatre

Five FliesFive Flies Fridays

Happy hour? More like four

Fugard's Statements | Cape Town Theatre ProductionsStatements After an Arrest under the ...

Forty years on it’s as relevant as ever

Sacred Elephant | Cape Town TheaterThe Sacred Elephant

The mighty elephant portrayed

World press photo competition Cape townInvestec presents World Press Photo ...

The best of 108,059 photographs

Hanepoot grape picking de krans cape townHanepoot picking at De Krans

Grapes taste better picked

Menopause the musicalMenopause the Musical

Touch, Meno (pause), hot flush!

Casa Labia MuizenburgHero book Workshop at Casa Labia

You’re the hero

Fashion Week 2010 The Red Carpet Fashion Show 2012

Lights, cameras, fashion!

Darling Music ExperienceDarling Musical Experience Weekend two

Escape to the country for the classics

Tallest man on earthThe Tallest Man on Earth

No shortage of reasons to go

City Bowl MarketFriday markets in and around Cape Town

Celebrate your love for Friday with one of these markets happening in and ...

Suidoosterfees 2012Suidoosterfees 2012

... where we are unashamedly Cape.

Hi-Tec Tygerberg 6Tygerberg Nature Reserve

Hiking in the Northern Suburbs with Hi-Tec

Events at table bay hotelHigh tea at the Table Bay Hotel

Pastries paired with specialist teas in an elegant setting

HQ Restaurant Cape TownRicky Botis gets you groovin’

Live entertainment every Saturday evening at HQ Restaurant

Shakespeare in the ParkShakespeare’s comedy of errors

Shakespeare at Maynardville open air theatre

Moreson5Wine Tastings at Môreson Wine Estate ...

Sip your way through Miss Molly with a Kitchen Thief

Tommy's Weekends at Tommy’s Sports Bar

Get your sport on at Tommy’s

Cape Bike ToursChauffeured motorbike rides around Cape ...

See the Mother City from the back of a bike

Rcaffe Saturday mornings on Long Street at ...

Freshly baked pastries, great coffee and delicious meals

Haartenburg Riesling RocksRiesling Rocks at Hartenburg Wine Estate

Head off to Stellenbosch for live music and a gastronomic feast

Fugard's Statements | Cape Town Theatre ProductionsStatements After an Arrest under the ...

Forty years on it’s as relevant as ever

IL Caperro Italian Restaurant Cape TownVacanze Romance at IL Cappero

(Italian) Dinner and (Italian) show

Sacred Elephant | Cape Town TheaterThe Sacred Elephant

The mighty elephant portrayed

World press photo competition Cape townInvestec presents World Press Photo ...

The best of 108,059 photographs

Hanepoot grape picking de krans cape townHanepoot picking at De Krans

Grapes taste better picked

Menopause the musicalMenopause the Musical

Touch, Meno (pause), hot flush!

Casa Labia MuizenburgHero book Workshop at Casa Labia

You’re the hero

Darling Music ExperienceDarling Musical Experience Weekend two

Escape to the country for the classics

degrendel6aCannon shooting at De Grendel Wine ...

Perfect Saturday afternoon with or without the kids

Cape Town night skylineVinyl Digz Rooftop Party

No school like the old school

Laborie Lazy Days marketSaturday markets in Cape Town's ...

The weekend is here and there is nothing better to do than spend a few hours at ...

nitida1Saturday markets in Cape Town's suburbs

The weekend is here and there is nothing better to do than spend a few hours at ...

City Bowl MarketSaturday markets in Cape Town's city ...

The weekend is here and there is nothing better to do than spend a few hours at ...

Suidoosterfees 2012Suidoosterfees 2012

... where we are unashamedly Cape.

Two Door Cinema Cape TownTwo Door Cinema coming to South Africa

UK indie heavyweights set to rock the Cape

Hi-Tec Deer park | Cape Town HikesDeer Park

Exploring an abundance of nature with Hi-Tec on the edge of the city

Haartenburg Riesling RocksRiesling Rocks at Hartenburg Wine Estate

Head off to Stellenbosch for live music and a gastronomic feast

tenorsGugulethu Tenors

O Afrika! You raise me up!

Fugard Theatre 1Il Trittico

Puccini’s three-piece stringed together

Renegade BingoRenegade Bingo Lust in Space

There are no such as things as flying saucers. Please step away from the flying ...

Cape ConsortMonteverdi Project

Sunday with the Cape Consort

Fugard's Statements | Cape Town Theatre ProductionsStatements After an Arrest under the ...

Forty years on it’s as relevant as ever

WeatherGiveawaysTravel Tips