25 March: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

25 March: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

One of the most horrific crimes in history, slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, it enslaved Africans dehumanised more than 15 million men, women and children for more than four centuries, brutally robbing them of their human rights and leaving generations of trauma in its wake. It also gave rise to false narratives of white supremacy and racial inferiority, which continue to linger today, with harmful prejudices and systems of exclusion and discrimination stripping communities of their ability to thrive and prosper.

Established by the United Nations in 2007, this day serves to honour the more than 15 million men, women, and children who were victims of the transatlantic slave trade over a period of 400 years. The theme for 2026 is “Ending Slavery’s Legacy of Racism: A Global Imperative for Justice”. This theme emphasises “Dismantling Racism” by addressing the systemic biases and “ugly lie of white supremacy” that persist today; “Truth and Justice”, by Working toward reparatory justice frameworks to address historical injustices; and “Education”, utilising transformative education to counter the false narratives of racial difference.

The Purpose and Significance of this day is Historical Reflection, by acknowledging the “triangular trade” that connected three continents, Africa, Europe and the Americas, and the horrific “Middle Passage”. Secondly, is the Awareness for Youth, which should be a primary goal, to educate younger generations about the dangers of racism and prejudice. Finally, to establish Permanent Memorials, such as the “Ark of Return”, located at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and “Iziko Museum” in Cape Town, which serve as a physical tributes to the victims and a reminder to “acknowledge the tragedy”.

In South Africa, slavery began in the Cape with the arrival of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) ship “Amersfoort” in Table Bay on 28 March 1658. Onboard were 170 slaves that were taken from a Portuguese ship. The “Amersfoort” anchored in Table Bay, marking the start of mass slavery at the Cape with 174, out of 250 captured, enslaved people from Angola. This marked the beginning of a 200-year history of slavery at the Cape, quickly followed by more arrivals.

The VOC ship did not travel to Africa to buy slaves but intercepted a Portuguese slaver traveling to Brazil. They took 250 “Angolan” slaves as a prize, but many died during the voyage to the Cape. About 174 individuals reached the Cape alive, though many were ill and young children. While this was the first large shipment, a few slaves already existed in the colony earlier. A second shipment, the “Hasselt”, arrived shortly after on 6 May 1658, from Guinea with 228 slaves. The enslaved people were forced into hard labour to support the growing VOC colony. This influx marked the start of a deep reliance on slave labour in the Cape, which significantly shaped the genetic and social composition of the local population.

On 25 March 1807, “The Abolition of the Slave Trade Act” was passed by the British Parliament in London, England. It outlawed the slave trade within the British Empire. Any British captain who was caught transporting slaves was fined £100 for every slave on board. However, many captains simply tossed their human cargo overboard to avoid fines. Passed by the British Parliament on 25 March 1807, the Act prohibited the slave trade within the British Empire, taking effect on 1 May 1807. It imposed heavy fines on ship captains but did not abolish slavery itself, which continued until the “Slavery Abolition Act” was passed on 28 August 1833.

The Act was the culmination of a massive public campaign and legislative efforts spearheaded by campaigners like William Wilberforce and the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the African Slave Trade. While it halted the legal, maritime trade of slaves, the act did not ban the institution of slavery or freed those already enslaved in British colonies. The United States passed a similar “Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves” on 2 March 1807, which took effect on 1 January 1808.

“People say that slaves were taken from Africa. This is not true: People were taken from Africa … and were made into slaves.”

– Abdullah Ibrahim –

THE SINS OF SLAVERY MUST BE COMPENSATED!

Castro Khwela
Good morning fellow Compatriots!🙏🏾✊🏾👊🏾