Today is a special day for many in South Africa. For those that don't know many South African's, generally, they are a good God fearing, Christian people. And the story I would like to relay is part of the history on them, and why this day is especially important to them.
Remember that this post is historic in nature, and is not intended to offend any people that could take offence to it.
Important to this story, we need to get a little back story into how the day came about.
In early 1838 and agreement was made between the then King of the Zulu's Dingaan, and the Boers, in which the Boers would be given lands if they would recover about 700 cattle that were stolen from the King.
2 days after the agreement was signed, and with the treaty still in his satchel, Retief (the Boer leader) and his men were attacked and killed by Dingaan and his warriors.
The Zulu king then sent out raids to the outlying Boer encampments and killed men, women, children and servants to the count of around 500 people.
Because of this, the Cape Colony was requested to assist in protecting the Natal encampments.
Andries Pretorius left the Cape to then assist those that were under attack in Natal.
It was this group of around 470 Voortrekkers (pioneers) that then went to Natal and at the Ncome river, they met with the Zulu armies....between 10000 to 20000 men from various tribes.
The Covenant
Knowing that they were hopelessly outnumbered, and sure to be destroyed, and having received word of the great Zulu army that was nearby from his scouts, Pretorius decided to fortify rather than attack, and chose a spot near the river that was defended on the rear, formed a laager (a circle of wagons creating a fort of sorts).
artists rendition of the battle
Outnumbered around 40/60 to 1 they were able to defeat the Zulu armies. 3000 dead warriors remained, and 3 injured Voortrekkers.
Harder still for the Zulu's was the resultant civil war that broke out shortly after that within the Zulu ranks.
But this is not about the battle, for war is horrible for all. This is about the covenant.
In preparation for the battle to take place, Sarel Cilliers led all the Voortrekker men in a prayer and covenant. They covenanted in return for God's help in the battle to come, that they and their descendants would build a church and honour the day from then on as a holy day...as a Holy Sabbath.
The wording of the vow is as follows:
- Afrikaans: Hier staan ons voor die Heilige God van Hemel en aarde om ʼn gelofte aan Hom te doen, dat, as Hy ons sal beskerm en ons vyand in ons hand sal gee, ons die dag en datum elke jaar as ʼn dankdag soos ʼn Sabbat sal deurbring; en dat ons ʼn huis tot Sy eer sal oprig waar dit Hom behaag, en dat ons ook aan ons kinders sal sê dat hulle met ons daarin moet deel tot nagedagtenis ook vir die opkomende geslagte. Want die eer van Sy naam sal verheerlik word deur die roem en die eer van oorwinning aan Hom te gee.
- English: We stand here before the Holy God of heaven and earth, to make a vow to Him that, if He will protect us and give our enemy into our hand, we shall keep this day and date every year as a day of thanksgiving like a sabbath, and that we shall build a house to His honour wherever it should please Him, and that we will also tell our children that they should share in that with us in memory for future generations. For the honour of His name will be glorified by giving Him the fame and honour for the victory.
Plaque that stands at approximately the place of the Battle of Blood River
Doesn't this covenant remind you of similar events in Israel's biblical history? With similar results
These Voortrekkers to a large measure kept their covenant to God, and were richly blessed as a people in a beautiful land.
1000's of descendants remembering the day of the vow
Of course it is not all roses and perfume, and as men usually have it, there will always be that element within people that take a good thing and turn it to use in something political, or self-serving.
Some political groups used this covenant as a platform to nation to rally the Afrikaners together in the development of Afrikaner nationalism and culture.
In it's own this is now a bad thing, having a strong sense of culture and beliefs. However it went to a large measure in the creation of the Apartheid system which so blighted the South African strengths and beliefs.
And anyone that believes that they are in some way better than another is on the WRONG path! Using a good things to perpetuate that is making it even worse!
And for the biggest part of the Afrikaners that were raised in South Africa, these were strong willed, extremely faith filled, good hardy people that loved their country and the people in it....all of them.
Day of reconcilliation
When apartheid ended, it was agreed upon by the then President to keep the day as a national day of remembrance, however in order to include all of South Africa in the day.
"With the advent of democracy in South Africa, 16 December retained its status as a public holiday, though with the purpose of fostering reconciliation and national unity".
So to this day, the day remains one that is remembered by many of the South African people.
For myself, I find and feel it important that we remember that God exists, that he covenants with all people wanting to live right and do good, regardless of colour or creed.
We are all His children and he loves us equally....it is however through the keeping of our covenants and promises made throughout life with Him, and at times such as baptism.
And as Israel had to learn, when turning from God and covenants, then those same people are brought to humility through difficulties and strife. The same is happening for the South Africans today.
We personally need to remember what our fathers promised and maintain that covenant....regardless of world views or pressures not to.
Woshipping God and remembering how He has been good to you in times of stress is not offensive to anyone but those that don't believe in God.
I truly hope that we as South Africans will rather stand together against evil, than against tribes and cultures.
Can you imagine the power of a nation standing together, making a new covenant together for all South Africans against the new evils of the day. Those that tear at our important fabrics of society, God, families, goodness, honesty!
I would happily and proudly stand side by side with these brothers and sisters, and fight for those values again!
Have a blessed day....hope you enjoyed this post
[Image and information credit wikipedia, www.officeholidays.com, James Micheners book]