President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address at the national commemoration of Reconciliation Day today at the Ncome Museum in Nquthu Local Municipality, uMzinyathi District, KwaZulu-Natal. According to the Presidency, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government will lead the national programme under the theme: “Reaffirming Reconciliation for Future Generations.” The theme calls on South Africans to deepen their commitment to unity, healing, forgiveness and nation-building for a shared future. The selection of the Battle of Blood River heritage site at the Ncome Museum underscores the importance of cherishing unity and peace collectively.
The battle between Voortrekker forces and the Zulu army took place 187 years ago in 1838 and shaped differing commemorative practices for more than a century. In 1995, the democratic government redefined December 16 as the National Day of Reconciliation, transforming the day from a symbol of division into a platform for truth, justice, dialogue, healing and shared nationhood. “Hosting the 2025 programme at Ncome reaffirms this commitment and invites South Africans to engage honestly with the past while advancing a future rooted in inclusion, understanding and unity,” the Presidency said in a statement. The KwaZulu-Natal Museum will also be participating in the event at the Ncome Museum.
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