Day of Reconciliation

Day of Reconciliation for the year 2023 is celebrated/observed on Friday, December 16th. There are until the next observance.

On December 16, South Africa honors the Day of Reconciliation. Apartheid was a system of racial segregation that prevailed across South Africa as a result of laws proposed by the National Party. This special day was established in 1994 to help heal and bridge the divide between South Africans. The Day of Reconciliation has contributed to the restoration of peace in an area that has suffered from decades of injustice.

📆 When is Day of Reconciliation?

This year, Day of Reconciliation is on December 16th. It is the 3rd Friday in December; in 2023, it is on Saturday.

→ Did you know: Nelson Mandela studied law at school and was one of South Africa’s first black lawyers.

You can also discover all fun things you didn’t know about and facts about December 16, 2022.

📜 History of Day of Reconciliation

Racial exclusion had been a terrible reality in South Africa since the Dutch Empire’s authority began in 1652. By the time the British took over the kingdom in 1795, there had been no change in the way things were done. Things deteriorated in 1950, when non-white political representation was eliminated. While this further cemented racial segregation measures, it also provoked a series of violent rebellions and a trade boycott of the country.

The date of December 16 was chosen as the Day of Reconciliation because it is significant to both African and Afrikaner people. It was a historic day for African Americans since one of the most prominent rallies against racial discrimination had occurred in 1910. The day also celebrates the Day of the Covenant, a religious feast commemorating the Voortrekkers’ triumph against the Zulus in the “Battle of Blood” in 1838. In South Africa, the “Spear of the Nation,” or Umkhonto we Sizwe, was founded.

The Day of Reconciliation was first observed in South Africa in 1995, following the establishment of democracy. This occasion is assigned a new topic each year, and we highly recommend checking into some of them. Among the themes that have been implemented over the years are “Bridging the Divide Towards A Non-Racist Society,” “The Year of Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu: Liberators for Reconciliation,” and “Bridging the Divide: Building a Common South African Nationhood Towards a National Development State.”

☑️ Day of Reconciliation facts

✅ Lifetime Imprisonment
Mandela was sentenced to life in jail in 1962 for plotting against the government and treason. However, he was freed early.

✅ The Mandela Redemption
During his stay in jail, he became a symbol of hope for South Africans fighting for their rights against injustice.

✅ Nobel Peace Prize
Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his nonviolent contributions to the regime’s demise.

✨ Things to do on Day of Reconciliation

⚡ Check out a show or performance
Take your family and friends to a show. Attend one of the countless performances going on throughout the country to be delighted and unwind with the key people in your life.

⚡ Enjoy the public gardens
Stroll through South Africa’s public parks and gardens to see the most stunning displays of Protea, the national flower, and the Yellowwood tree. Botanical gardens in Johannesburg and Durban are other excellent choices.

⚡ Visit a Heritage site.
With such a rich history, it is no wonder that there are several heritage sites to visit around the nation. We urge that you go to Rivonia and see the Liliesleaf historic site, which was a hideaway for anti-apartheid leaders. Today, the place holds exhibitions, shows off old things, and serves some of the best food!

📅 Day of Reconciliation Observances

See all December holidays, including Federal and other Civic holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and interesting facts about Day of Reconciliation. So be sure to check back soon.