Reconciliation Day honours Mandela, Sisulu
Updated | By Shaun Ryan
It is the Day of Reconciliation here in South Africa.
The public holiday falls on the 16th of December every year and is geared towards celebrating the end of apartheid and fostering national unity.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address at a Reconciliation Day celebration in Mthatha today.
Ramaphosa will mark the occasion at the Walter Sisulu University.
This year's event marks 24 years of the national holiday and will be held under the theme, 'The Year of Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu: Liberators for reconciliation.'
According to a statement issued by government, Reconciliation Day: "aims to promote national unity, social cohesion, constitutional democracy, human rights and equality by highlighting and advancing the constitutional values and principles that bind together all South Africans."
The event will also be used to promote the #IAmTheFlag campaign launched earlier this month.
The campaign is about raising awareness around national symbols and encouraging people to view our flag as an element of national reconciliation among all South Africans.
Today's public holiday is also being viewed as the 'official' start of the 2018 festive season.
With the public holiday falling on a Sunday this year, tomorrow is also a public holiday -- giving South Africans a long weekend ahead of the Christmas period.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address at a Reconciliation Day celebration in Mthatha today.
Ramaphosa will mark the occasion at the Walter Sisulu University.
This year's event marks 24 years of the national holiday and will be held under the theme, 'The Year of Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu: Liberators for reconciliation.'
According to a statement issued by government, Reconciliation Day: "aims to promote national unity, social cohesion, constitutional democracy, human rights and equality by highlighting and advancing the constitutional values and principles that bind together all South Africans."
The event will also be used to promote the #IAmTheFlag campaign launched earlier this month.
The campaign is about raising awareness around national symbols and encouraging people to view our flag as an element of national reconciliation among all South Africans.
Today's public holiday is also being viewed as the 'official' start of the 2018 festive season.
With the public holiday falling on a Sunday this year, tomorrow is also a public holiday -- giving South Africans a long weekend ahead of the Christmas period.
Transport authorities have already noticed an increase in traffic volumes on the roads. They are urging all motorists to play their part in keeping their passengers and other road users safe.
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