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Daily News report that the South African government has indicated that it would consider making Diwali Day a public holiday.
In a formal response to the non-profit organisation Survival Centre in Phoenix, north of Durban, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) said the request would be considered in terms of the Public Holidays Act of 1994. The administration of public holidays falls under DHA. In explaining the process before a day was declared a public holiday, the department said the decision needed the President’s decision, Cabinet approval and public participation as required by the Constitution. In its application to the DHA, the Survival Centre had questioned the government’s decision in making Easter Monday and Reconciliation Day formerly known as Boxing Day (26 December) public holidays. The Survival Centre argued that these holidays were meaningless and a waste that must be done away with and replaced by Diwali and Eid. Survival Centre leader Reverend Ethan Ramkuar said he had relentlessly pursued the matter and that the Hindu community was very excited with the department’s response. Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a festival of lights celebrated by the Hindu community. It is the celebration of good triumphing over evil. To allow Hindu pupils to observe the day, the Department of Education has amended the matric timetable so that exams will not be written on Diwali.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Willem Phungula at Daily News
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