Reflecting on the significance of the day of reconciliation in South Africa

The day of reconciliation is a significant day for South Africans. This is the day that South Africa’s ”new parliament” passed a new law authorising the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1995. The central purpose of the commission was to promote reconciliation and forgiveness amongst perpetrators and victims of apartheid. Given the long history of apartheid in South Africa, strengthening reconciliation efforts still needs renewal. 

Free but not yet freed 

I am a born free, I guess. Being born after the release of uTata Nelson Mandela qualifies me to be born free. However, the ‘’free’’ used is the freedom that my people were subjected to, after years of colonial rule. The ‘’free’’ used here is the beginning of the introduction of the formation of new legislation. This is the ‘’free’’ where new legislations were being drafted or formulated to respond to the injustices of apartheid. This is the ‘’free’’ that begins with legislation and ignores the hovering brokenness on our land. This is the ‘’free’’ that implements legislation to a healing nation. This is the ‘’free’’ that is new to the concept of ‘’free’’ and is in dire need of being freed.

As I journeyed to Kwa-Zulu Natal with my village dad, we reflected on South Africa’s history and the significance of the day of reconciliation. 

I have said this before on my platform that I was raised by villagers. Both my parents are products of the villages. My parents emigrated when they were very young to Gauteng for economic opportunities. By virtue of being raised by villagers, I call myself a village girl. This is entirely because their emigration to the city was for economic reasons; however they still kept and raised us (my siblings and I) with village principles. I will forever be grateful for their lives and I don’t take it lightly that I still have both parents alive. Now back to the day of reconciliation day.

South Africa never used to be like this, my village dad’s opening

There were hardly any roads. One would drive for many kilometers not to even see green grass or trees. The gravel roads had many stones and the environment was dull in colour. Driving in South Africa felt like driving in some big bush. I think the scary part was that as a black man he felt more intimidated on the roads because he understood that people of colour had no place in South Africa. He always had it placed at the back of his head that he might not make it alive. However, going home yearly is mandatory for the purposes of realigning with the soil that birthed you. 

Therefore, this meant finding alternative routes to go home. Driving through the mountains was how many people of colour went back home. It was never the safest way however, it was the fastest route and there were hardly police officials. In terms of cost, it was cost effective because one wouldn’t meet as many toll gates. However, it was a daunting experience because if any unforeseen circumstance would occur no one would ever locate you. I think it’s because African culture prohibits us from announcing our journey. Our families know of our arrivals as we enter our homesteads. With that said, many bodies that don’t make it home alive decay and their spirits hover on the roadsides. For that reason, as we pass specific roads we slow down to pay homage to those who did not make it to their final destination.  

Reconciled to ancestral homes 

In as much as South Africa’s progress that we are immensely grateful for, the day of reconciliation is truly a remarkable day for us. This is the day that many South Africans travel to their homes to reconcile with their families. This is the day that we drive on the roads travelled by our ancestors. This is the day we reconcile with the lives lost. We carry them with us hoping that their spirits will reach their homesteads. This is the day we reconcile with where we come and where we are headed. This is the day where we also reconcile with our brokenness hovering the nation and heal ourselves.

We reconcile with our identities as Africans. We reconcile with the land that broke us and the very land meant to restore us.   

Restorated to ourselves 

The unspoken truth is that to be reconciled to ourselves is embracing the brokenness caused by the injustice and making amends that history compromised our existence. To be restored to ourselves is taking what is left of us and rebuilding the better versions of ourselves in our democracy. To be restored is also marked by telling our stories the best way we know how to. 

I hope that my fellow South Africans never take for granted the day of reconciliation. 

I did not infringe any copyrights, the music in the background is a South African artist known as Big Zulu. One of South Africa’s greatest musicians/singer songwriter and yes my dad is a fan. We love Big Zulu here and hope to meet him one day. 

Please enjoy the full vlog on my Tiktok page.  

Phiwe Mncwabe is storyteller, blogger and voice in Africa.

More stories-https://botlhaleafrika.co.za/ 

I am not affiliated to any political party. I am affiliated to the Africans. 

The views that  I share are mine and not affiliated to any employer. These views are not meant to bring harm.

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