PAC President Mzwanele Nyhontso, as the Minister of Land Reform & Rural Development, officially accepted the remains of the country’s fallen heroes.
(The Post News)- The remains of 49 liberation fighters who lost their lives in Zimbabwe and Zambia have finally returned to South African soil. Among those brought back are notable figures such as ANC stalwart Advocate Duma Nokwe, PAC’s Edwin Makoti, Florence Mophosho, and Basil February.
The historic repatriation project brings long-awaited closure to families who lost loved ones during the fight against apartheid. Deputy President Paul Mashatile expressed the ANC’s excitement to welcome back their fallen heroes and heroines, including former ANC secretary-general Duma Nokwe.
The remains arrived at the Waterkloof Airforce Base on Wednesday afternoon, received by Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontso, in Zimbabwe, and Ministers Gayton Mackenzie and Angie Motshekga in Zambia. The process was delayed due to some countries’ misunderstanding of international laws regarding burial Advocate Duma Nokwe holds a special place in South African history as the country’s first black advocate at the Johannesburg Bar in 1956.
Despite facing obstacles, Nokwe continued to fight for justice, and his legacy lives on.“My mother died 11 years ago and…I would like my mother to have been here. I would have liked for this occasion to have happened 12 or 15 years ago, so that she could have been here. My mother died when she was 92 years old. She asked me to make her a promise that I will bring Basil’s remains home and I said I will. Today is such a historic day for our family, said Terry, Basil’s brother.
Onica Mahlangu whose brother Bennet Sibanyoni died in Zambia nearly 40 years ago explained to SAnews, the peacefulness that her brother’s remains brings as the brutal Apartheid security forces took everything that belonged to him – leaving them with nothing to remember him by.
Today, September 27, the government will host an official homecoming ceremony at Freedom Park to honour the return of these liberation fighters. This marks the beginning of a series of repatriations, with plans to bring back heroes from other countries, such as Angola.
As South Africa welcomes home its fallen heroes, we remember their sacrifices and bravery in the fight against apartheid. Their return brings closure and honour to their families and the nation.
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