Africa

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 20, 18 December 1916, Page 5

Africa

i dingaan’s day. I * GREAT DUTCH GATHERING. lian and N.Z. Cable Association. Press Association—Copyright, Austin (Received 9.10 a.m.) Johannesburg. December 17. The greatest gathering of Dutch since before the Boer War celebrate Dingaan’s Day at Baardekraal. General Botha was a dominating figure, and thousands listened attentively to his dignified address. s Dingaan’s Day’s. On the 16th of December each year there is commemorated the overthrow of the Zulu forces; by Pretonus ami his handful of vuortrekkers in 1838. The day : as, however, in later years been associated with the proclamation of Boer independence in 1880 and flu* public funeral of President Kruger in 1904. Ever since the close of the South African War the day has been officially recognised as a public holiday in the Transvaal. Its celebration every year is losing more and more of its special racial significance, and is reverting to its original conception of a day of thanksgiving for the progress of white civilisiation in South Africa.