Day of Reconciliation

16 December (South Africa)

This day promotes reconciliation and national unity, rather than conflict and opposition.
Afrikaners traditionally celebrated 16 December as the Day of the Vow, remembering the day in 1838 when a group of Voortrekkers defeated a Zulu army at the Battle of Blood River, while ANC activists commemorated it as the day in 1961 when the ANC started to arm its soldiers to overthrow Apartheid. In the new South Africa, this is a day of reconciliation, a day to focus on overcoming the conflicts of the past and building a new nation.
From an environmental perspective, we would also promote reconciliation with our environment, bearing in mind the profound impacts of our social, economic and political structures. By reconciling our differences and working together in a spirit of mutual care and respect, we may indeed be able to achieve a common goal of sustainability – one that is of benefit to everyone.

More info: http://www.info.gov.za/aboutsa/holidays.htm and http://africanhistory.about.com/library/bl/blsaholidays.htm

Go to the Rhodes University ENVIRONMENT front page. Suggestions/Questions? Contact environment(at)ru.ac.za