A group of South African expats have commemorated a national day widely believed to be racist at a service in Hamilton.
The service commemorated what was known in apartheid South Africa as the Day of the Vow.
It took place at Hamilton Central Baptist Church on December 16, organised by South African expat Rudi du Plooy.
The Day of the Vow got its name from an event on December 16 1838. Voortrekkers preparing to battle the Zulus promised God they'd build a church and continue to commemorate the day if he granted them victory.
The battle is known as the Battle of Blood River, at which a Voortrekker force took on a Zulu army and killed 3000 Zulus.
December 16 is now a national Day of Reconciliation, a public holiday to remember the past and foster national unity in South Africa.
"The Day of the Vow is a solemn occasion and confirms the covenant that was made by the displaced Voortrekkers to honour God should they be victorious in battle," the description for the Hamilton service said.
It directed attendees to wear black "as far as is possible".
"The ongoing farm murders in South Africa is a matter that deeply distresses South Africans across the world. We need to show our support to South Africans who are brutalised by those who have evil in their hearts.
"We will again confirm our commitment to God as a people and believe that again God will intervene and there will be a resolve to the murders against the farming community."
Mr du Plooy told Stuff the service was intended to draw attention to white farmers in South Africa, who he claimed were subject to violence from the ANC-led government.
A history professor told Stuff he believed Mr du Plooy's statements at the service to be racist, but Mr du Plooy denied the accusation.
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