As South Africa prepares to mark Reconciliation Day on 16 December, the Ministry of Sports, Arts, and Culture has urged citizens to embrace unity, peace, and social cohesion.
The call was made during the launch of this year’s commemoration programme, set to take place next Tuesday at the Ncome Museum in KwaZulu-Natal.
Minister Gayton McKenzie reflected on the deep historical significance of the chosen venue, calling Ncome a powerful and symbolic location for national reflection.
“It is here that the 1838 battle between the Voortrekker forces and the Zulu Kingdom unfolded—an event that shaped differing and often divisive commemorative practices for more than a century,” McKenzie said.
He noted that in 1995, South Africa’s democratic government redefined 16 December as the National Day of Reconciliation, transforming it from a symbol of division into a platform dedicated to truth, justice, and dialogue.
“Hosting the 2025 programme at Ncome reaffirms this commitment. We urge the nation to engage honestly with our complex past while advancing a future rooted in inclusion, understanding, and unity,” McKenzie added.
McKenzie encouraged South Africans to use government-led platforms to participate in meaningful dialogue and nation-building.
“Government can open the space for engagement, but reconciliation is a responsibility that rests with every South African. Our mission now is to build a future where our children inherit unity, not division,” he said.
This year’s commemoration comes amid renewed national efforts to address inequality and dismantle systemic racism. The 2025 National Day of Reconciliation will be observed under the theme ‘Reaffirming Reconciliation for Future Generations.’
Citizens are encouraged to take part in the series of activities led by government departments and entities in the days leading up to the official event.
