The unveiling of the statue on December 16, 2013 is intended as acknowledgement of the contribution of the first President of a democratic South Africa(SABC)
Hundreds of South Africans are expected to attend the unveiling of a nine metre high statue of Nelson Mandela at the Union Buildings on Monday.
The unveiling is part of the Reconciliation Day celebrations planned in Pretoria. The day is marked every year as part of South Africa's heritage of a "rainbow nation".
One of the well celebrated days in the country's calendar, December 16 was previously celebrated as "Dingaans Day" in remembrance of the Voortrekkers victory against the Zulu army led by Dingaan at the 'Battle of Blood River'.
The Voortrekkers, who had moved onto and claimed the Zulu people’s land, took a vow before God that they would build a church for their descendants to observe the day as a day of thanksgiving should they be granted victory.
It was also a day to celebrate Afrikaner nationalism when it was called the 'Day of the Covenant'. Political organisations such as the ANC and SACP also used the day for protest against white minority rule. The ANC also chose the day in 1961 to launch uMkhonto weSizwe.
But the day could from now on be more fondly remembered as the day Mandela's statue was unveiled at the Union Buildings.
President Jacob Zuma will unveil the statue. The unveiling of the statue is intended as acknowledgement of the contribution of the first President of a democratic South Africa - a symbol of national reconciliation and unity. Hopefully, it will become a site of pilgrimage for domestic and international visitors.
Coming into effect after the 1994 democratic elections, the Day of Reconciliation, was inaugurated to help South Africans reconcile the horror of the events of past and the promise of a shared future together, regardless of race, culture or creed.
This year’s event will be under the theme “Nation Building, Social Cohesion and Reconciliation”. It also marks the beginning of the celebration of 20 years of democracy in the Country.
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