This coming Friday is another South African public holiday and as usual we like to educate those readers who don't know what the significance of our holidays are...

For many South Africans, 16 December is the end of the working year and the start of the summer holiday season as the majorioty of businesses close from that date until the New Year.

But what is the Day of Reconciliation about?

Originally, 16 December was called the Day of the Vow, also known as Day of the Covenant or Dingaan's Day. It was a religious holiday commemorating the Voortrekker victory over the Zulus at the Battle of Blood River in 1838.

The name changed to Day of Reconciliation in 1994 after the end of apartheid, in order to promote reconciliation and national unity.

16 December is also the anniversary of the 1961 founding of Umkhonto we Sizwe which is the armed wing of the African National Congress.

For a more detailed account of the Battle of Blood River and the Day of the Vow visit this site.

(Info source: Wikipedia)