Entitled “Reaffirming Reconciliation for Future Generations,” the presidential statement noted that the ceremony seeks to deepen the commitment to unity, healing, and nation-building, the Department informed.

Ramaphosa emphasized in his keynote address the importance of transforming spaces that once represented conflict into platforms for honest dialogue, justice, and a shared national identity.

As the Ministry of Sport, Arts, and Culture recalls, that location was the site of the Battle of the Blood River (Ncome) in 1838, lending the commemoration significant symbolism.

The confrontation, which took place 187 years ago between Zulu forces and Voortrekkers (settlers of Dutch origin), generated conflicting narratives in the country for over a century.

Since 1995, the democratic government has redefined the date as a day of unity and collective reflection.

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