International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade serves as a reminder of the horrific human rights violations that occurred during the period of the transatlantic slave trade and slavery. As a global society, this Observance seeks not just to remember those who suffered and died, but also to raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice today. It is a day grounded in the premise of education, reparation, and reconciliation, aiming to educate future generations about the consequences of such historical atrocities.

This Observance has a significant resonance with South Africans due to the South African history marked by dispossession, racial segregation and economic exploitation under apartheid. The transatlantic slave trade saw an estimated 15 million African people, including South Africans, forcibly relocated to serve as labor in the Americas and European colonies between the 15th and 19th centuries. This Observance seeks to commemorate those South Africans, highlighting the connection to a larger, international narrative of struggle against racial inequality and human rights abuse.

In South Africa, the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is typically marked by various local and national activities. These often include educational events, cultural performances, and memorial services, held in museums, schools, and other public spaces. South Africans are encouraged to participate and use these opportunities to both remember the victims and to educate themselves further about the significant impact of slavery on their history. The day is observed annually on March 25th, marking the United Nations' resolution adopted in 2007 calling for this important global remembrance.