Nation-building and national days
Nation-building, our national days and what they remember, and how sport and languages unite us. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.
Know it already? Jump straight to the quiz
National days
| Day | Date | What we remember |
|---|---|---|
| Human Rights Day | 21 March | We remember the people at Sharpeville who protested peacefully against the pass laws in 1960; human rights must be protected |
| Freedom Day | 27 April | The first democratic election, 1994 |
| Workers’ Day | 1 May | Workers |
| Africa Day | 25 May | The founding of the OAU, now the AU |
| Youth Day | 16 June | Soweto learners protested in 1976 against being forced to learn their school subjects in Afrikaans |
| Women’s Day | 9 August | The march of about 20 000 women to the Union Buildings in 1956 against the pass laws |
| Day of Reconciliation | 16 December | Overcoming past divisions together |
National days help young people born after 1994 remember the past and value their freedom.
What unites us
- Sport: in 1995 Mandela wore the Springbok jersey and cheered with everyone; in 2019 and again in 2023 Siya Kolisi, the first black Springbok Test captain, led the team to win the Rugby World Cup.
- Ubuntu (I am because we are) and the motto “Diverse people unite” help nation-building. Jokes about others’ language or culture do the opposite.
- A culture day at school, a greeting in another language, and welcoming a new learner from another country all build the nation.
- Proudly South African encourages buying local: it supports jobs and builds pride. The Constitution protects everyone’s rights equally.
More days to celebrate
| Day | Date | What it is about |
|---|---|---|
| Mandela Day | 18 July | Nelson Mandela’s birthday: spend 67 minutes helping others |
| Heritage Day | 24 September | We celebrate our different cultures, languages and traditions |
| National Children’s Day | First Saturday in November | Children’s rights and well-being |
National symbols and national days are part of our cultural heritage: they remind us that we are one nation.
Remember this and test yourself
- Nation-building: uniting people of all backgrounds as one nation.
- Reconciliation: making peace and mending relationships. Diversity: differences in language, culture and religion.
- Archbishop Desmond Tutu made the name rainbow nation well known.
- Nelson Mandela was released from prison on 11 February 1990.
- Twelve official languages, including Sign Language: more people feel they belong.
Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.
The year’s days: 21/3 rights, 27/4 freedom, 16/6 youth, 9/8 women, 24/9 heritage, 16/12 reconciliation.
Important words
First say what the word means, then turn the card over.
Match column A to column B
Tap a word in column A, then its meaning in column B. You can also start in column B.
True or false?
Read the question and the answer. Is the answer right? Tap True or False.
Now the real quiz!
The quiz has many more questions on this topic. Every question shows straight away whether you are right and explains why.
Take the quiz: Nation-building and national days- Read one part together and ask your child to tell it back in their own words.
- The ticks (“I know this”) are saved on this device only. We never ask for names or emails.
Follows CAPS for Grade 6 Life Skills. Always check your teacher’s notes and textbook too.