Day of Reconciliation – 16 December – South Africa
84Nelson Mandela & FW De Klerk - 1994
16 December is an important holiday in South Africa. Since 1994, when the regime of apartheid finally came to an end, this day is known as the ‘Day of Reconciliation’.
Before 1994 it was known as ‘Dingaans Day’, or ‘Day of the Vow’ or ‘Day of the Covenant’. It was a religious holiday to commemorate the Battle of Blood River.
The Battle of Blood River
The Voortrekkers (Pioneers) were a group of Boers (farmers) in the CapeColony. They were descendens of migrants from the Netherlands,France and Germany who had chosen the Cape Colony as their homeland since 1652. When the Voortrekkers decided in 1834 to escape from British control and the never-ending defending of their livestock and land against the Xhosa-tribes in the Cape Colony, they had no idea what was waiting for them up north on the other side of the Orange River. Numerous preliminary scout patrols had not foreseen any battles with the African tribes, but only peaceful negotiations involving the purchasing of land.
Once on the other side of the Orange River some of the Voortrekkers decided to go straight north while others were determent to go east or west. The group that had chosen to go east had to get over the Drakensberge (Dragon Mountains) with their wagons and livestock. On the other side they met the Zulu’s – a formidable nation who was prior to the Groot Trek reigned by King Shaka KaSenzangakhona and at the time of the Voortrekkers’ arrival by his half-brother Dingane KaSenzangakhona.
After the leader of one of the Voortrekker groups, Piet Retief, as well as his son and co-negotiators - were massacred during a meeting with Dingana on 6 February 1838, the contingent Voortrekkers in Natal were systematically wiped out by the Zulu impi’s (battalions).
On 16 December 1838 a group of 470 Voortrekkers under the leadership of Andries Pretorius faced about 12,000 Zulu’s on the banks of the Ncome River. According to general belief the Boers suffered only 3 injuries and no fatalities, while 3000 Zulu’s had been killed, most of them in the river. Their blood had turned the water red, therefor the battle was named “The Battle of Blood River”.
The reason for the Voortrekkers’ victory was the technological advantage they had with guns and canons over the Zulu’s weaponry of short stabbing spears. However, the Voortrekkers believed that God had proved his intervention and His will for them to conquer the land. Before the battle Andries Pretorius had made a vow to God: If they win the battle, they and their offspring would ‘forever’ commemorate the day as a Sabbath. After this victory the Voortrekkers indeed proclaimed the land of the Zulu's and named it the Natalia Republic, today known as KwaZulu-Natal.
Voortrekker Monument
Construction of a monument in honor of the Voortrekkers started on 13 July 1937. On 16 December 1949 it was inaugurated. Since 1994 this monument was unfortunately regarded in a negative light as it is an enormous reminder of many bloody battles between the Voortrekkers and the African tribes, but on 8 July 2011 it was finally declared a National Heritage Site.
Interesting information about this monument is available in the following hub as well as in Wikipedia.
http://susann.hubpages.com/hub/Voortrekker_Monument_Pretoria_South_Africa
Reconciliation
In 1993 the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded jointly to Nelson Mandela, the first president of the New South Africa, and Frederik Willem de Klerk, the last president of the Old South Africa with its apartheid regime. These two presidents laid the foundation for a democratic South Africa and were the first politicians demonstrating a spirit of reconciliation that led to the official changing of Dingaan’s Day to Day of Reconciliation.
This year will be the 16th commemoration of the establishment of a reconciliation policy in South Africa.
© Martie Coetser (December 2011)
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Thank you for sharing. Colonial life in Africa has always been an interesting subject for me, although I have never been there. I guess, in our heart there has always been a strange fascination with this mystical continent.
I did not know much about the history of South Africa until now. Very informative.
These are fascinating and well-written details, Martie, of a history not well known in the U.S. I saw a British film years ago (so long ago that Michael Caine who starred in it was in his twenties) and it featured this epic battle of the British against the Zulu tribes.
Thank you for enhancing my limited until now South African education.
Completely fascinatin account of the battle and history of the monument. Awesome...
poetvix – I’ve tried to keep it short and simple. In Wikipedia every detail is clearly and explicitly stated. Thanks so much for clicking in for the read.
moncrieff –South Africa is the most modern and best developed country in Africa. You will certainly enjoy a tour of the country, but rather through a tourist agency. Thanks for your comment. It is always nice to see you in my corner.
formosangirl – Just an idea of the history of any country enable us to have empathy with their current problems, although in South Africa the word ‘problem’ is totally out of fashion. We use the word ‘challenge’. The crime rate is currently quite a challenge – of the highest in the world.
drbj – There were horrible battles between the British and the Zulu’s in Natal. One of the battles was The Battle of Isandlwana in 1879 – The British regiments were wiped out by the Zulu’s.
http://www.britishbattles.com/zulu-war/isandlwana.
So tragic: Millions of young men lost their lives through out the ages because of the greed of one or the other ruler, or of the quest for a so-called promised land.
A.A. Zavala – I am always thrilled when you find a hub of mine fascinating. Thanks.
Thank you for this interesting history lesson regarding something I probably would have never learned!
Deni, South-Africa has, I supposed like all countries, a rich and interesting history. But all of us are not interested in the details, we merely need an idea of the past in order to understand the present. Thanks for your comment. Always good to see you!
My gosh but is Voortrekker Monument HUGE! Thanks for the link Martie- except for generalities, the history of the Boers' treks are new. That was great reading about the Battle of Blood River; very lop-sided, but its no surprise the volk thanked God for the victory. Appreciate you writing this Martie, you know how I like this kind of hub. Its good you had the Day of Reconciliation, it reminds of the two sides coming together 50 years after Gettysburg and making their peace. South Africa is a great country, write some more like this..hint!
This is another great educational hub about Africa. I knew nothing about 'The Battle of Blood River.' I've always admired Nelson Mandela. Thank you again...
Alastar Packer – It is quite an impressive monument with a unique structure. Every year on 16 December at exactly 12:00pm, the sun shines through a small slit in the roof directly on a sarcophagus and the slogan of the previous anthem: “We for you, South Africa.” It is such an awesome, sacred moment – even men cannot hold their tears. (I should have mentioned this in the hub!) Just follow Google’s ‘The Voortrekker Monument’ and you will surely find the detail interesting.
I plan to write more historical hubs... If only I can get the time to do it. Thanks so much for your support and encouragement, Alastar. Take care!
always exploring – I am really glad to know my American friends find the history of South Africa interesting. As I’ve said, one needs to know only a little in order to realize that every country has a unique history to treasure and a present with problems deeply rooted in the history. I’ll see you soon in your corner. Keep the kettle boiling!
Great hub. History with absolutely no bias. I loved reading it. Thank you.
Twilight Lawns - I appreciate your visit and approval. Thank you :)
Thank goodness this wasn't yanked (LOL) because you have a wonderful flair for relaying history in a most interesting and readable manner. I am remembering when I first befriended you and read your "Happy Birthday, Nelson" and having the same impressions.
Loved this and voted UP & UABI. Hugs, Maria
marcoujor – Thank you so much for your inspiring comment. I love the history of my country – in fact of all countries. But when I share my knowledge with others I try not to give any irrelevant-to-the-story detail; I believe the importance is the story, because what was, is, and will be again. This is what we need in order to be compassionate and supportive. We’ve got to know: “Something similar had happened – is happening – may happen perhaps soon – to us/me.” People tend to thing ‘the end of the world is near’, because of this and that.’ But when one knows the history of mankind, one knows that this and that were the order of the day since the very beginning.
Thanks so much, Maria, for making time to read my hubs. You know how much I appreciate your comments and support. I hope you have a lovely day :))
Oh Martie,
I want to thank you and say how much your comment reminds me, in a beautiful way, of something Mom said....many times, in her own way. Both of you are very wise in my mind.
For example, Mom would say: 'Everyone thinks the recession is the end of the world. I have seen it with the Great Depression.' She equated our 9-11 (in 2001) to her 'Pearl Harbor on 12-7th, 1941'-- (just had the 70th anniversary of this tragedy) that she lived through/ never forgot the impact... spoke to us each year so we never forgot.
Anyway, thank you for reminding me of Mom and our continued efforts to journey through this amazing life, mar.
...well this is an essential history lesson for anyone - so it will be posted to my FACEBOOK page with complete respect Miss M for your research, enlightenment, and a very passionate presentation - and I leave you with two quotes - "Make love not war" - "Read Martie and love what she has to say"
lake erie time ontario canada 12:32am and my anti-biotic eardrops are working - I am finally coming out of this misery
Epigramman, it is so good to see you in this hub of mine, and thank you for posting the link on your wall. I feel honored. I am so glad you are coming out of your temporarily misery. Take care and listen to your doctor :)
...well it's hard to be miserable for too long when you have a beautiful woman in your life like Martie .....
Epi - good to know I can get you out of miserableness. Mmmm, I better keep my lipstick on, and my mascara... and color my hair for a change before you notice the grey :)))
Great history. Just a few points of correction.
It is King Shaka KaSenzangakhona and his half-brother Dingane KaSenzangakhona.
Thank you, Lindokuhle. Correction has been done :))
Thanks for sharing South Africa's history. After the ten years of bloody war, Nepal is trying to manage peace process, and draft a constitution. And our leaders take Mandela' South Africa as an example.
Vinaya - What wonderful news! We are praying down here that Nelson Mandela's example will always be followed by the leading party. You will be surprise how quickly people stop following a good example, because every leader wants to stamp his own ideas of wrong and right on his people/followers. Thank you for your informative comment :)
poetvix Level 7 Commenter 5 months ago
I had no idea of the vast history behind this day prior to 1994. Thank you for a view into history that is concise, well written and easy to understand.