Cassinga Day in Namibia
Cassinga Day is a holiday in Namibia.
When is Cassinga Day in Namibia
Cassinga Day is celebrated on 04, May, 2023 in Namibia.
About Cassinga Day in Namibia
Cassinga Day is a public holiday in Namibia that is observed on May 4th every year. The holiday commemorates the Cassinga massacre, which occurred on May 4th, 1978, during the Namibian War of Independence.
On that day, South African Defense Force (SADF) troops attacked a refugee camp in Cassinga, Angola, where Namibian refugees had sought shelter. The attack resulted in the deaths of an estimated 600 to 1,000 people, most of whom were women and children. The attack was widely condemned by the international community, and it is considered to be one of the worst atrocities committed during the Namibian War of Independence.
The holiday is observed throughout Namibia, with government offices, schools, and businesses closed for the day. The day is marked by commemorative events, including wreath-laying ceremonies, speeches, and cultural performances. The holiday serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Namibians during their struggle for independence and the need to continue working towards a more just and equitable society.
History of Cassinga Day in Namibia
Cassinga Day is a public holiday in Namibia that commemorates the Cassinga massacre, which occurred on May 4, 1978. The holiday was established by the Namibian government in 2007.
The Cassinga massacre was a brutal attack on a refugee camp in southern Angola by South African forces during the Angolan Civil War. The camp was home to thousands of Namibian refugees who had fled their country due to the ongoing conflict between the South African government and the Namibian liberation movement, SWAPO.
On May 4, 1978, South African forces launched a surprise attack on the camp, killing an estimated 600-700 people, including women and children. The attack was widely condemned by the international community and is considered one of the worst atrocities committed by the South African government during the apartheid era.
In the years following the massacre, the Namibian government and SWAPO used the event as a rallying cry for independence and liberation from South African rule. After Namibia gained independence in 1990, there were calls to establish a national holiday to commemorate the Cassinga massacre and honor the victims.
Finally, in 2007, the Namibian government officially declared May 4 as Cassinga Day, a public holiday to remember the victims of the massacre and to honor the sacrifices made by Namibians in the struggle for independence. The holiday is marked by solemn ceremonies and remembrance events across the country.
How is Cassinga Day celebrated in Namibia
Cassinga Day is celebrated in Namibia on May 4th every year to commemorate the victims of the Cassinga Massacre that occurred in 1978 during the country’s struggle for independence from South Africa. The day is a public holiday in Namibia, and it is observed with various events and activities.
The celebrations typically begin with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cassinga Memorial in the town of Cassinga, where people gather to pay their respects to the victims. The ceremony is attended by government officials, veterans, and families of the victims.
There are also parades and marches held in various parts of the country, with people carrying Namibian flags and singing patriotic songs. The day is also marked by speeches and cultural performances that highlight the country’s struggle for independence and the importance of unity and freedom.
In addition to the official events, many Namibians use Cassinga Day as an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who fought for the country’s independence and to renew their commitment to building a better future for all Namibians.
Dates
Cassinga Day will be celebrated in Namibia on 2023-05-04 2024-05-04 2025-05-04 2026-05-04 2027-05-04 in the commint years.