By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) minister Gayton McKenzie has unveiled a national plan to repatriate the remains of exiled liberation fighters.
McKenzie held a media briefing in Pretoria on Monday to provide an update on preparations for the launch of the second phase.
During the first phase of the exile repatriation programme, the remains of Duma Nokwe were among those returned to South Africa last year.
Nokwe, who passed away in Zambia in 1978, holds the distinction of being the youngest secretary-general in the history of the African National Congress (ANC).
He was reburied in Johannesburg last month, 47 years after he succumbed to health complications.
The repatriation programme, he explained, is aimed at correcting the deep injustices of the past and bringing long-overdue healing to families and communities.
“This isn’t about doing anyone a favour,” he said. “It’s about fulfilling our responsibility to those who gave everything for our freedom. We owe their families a debt we can never fully repay.”
The first initiative focuses on the reburial of 58 ancestral remains originating from the Northern Cape. For far too long, these remains, belonging to South Africa’s First Peoples — the Khoi, San, and other indigenous groups — were treated as mere objects, displayed in museums or studied in laboratories, often without consent.
The reburial process is led collaboratively by significant partners including Iziko Museums of South Africa and the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), under the guidance of the Northern Cape Reburial Task Team. This team represents the Nama, Griqua, Korana, and San communities, ensuring that the process is respectful and reflective of cultural practices.
The minister highlighted the profound significance of this act: “It is not just about returning remains to the soil. It is about restoring dignity and fulfilling cultural and spiritual obligations.” In a move to expand these efforts, discussions have begun with the Hunterian Museum at the University of Glasgow, seeking to return more Khoi and San remains to South Africa.
The second initiative, the Exile Repatriation Project, aims to bring home the thousands of South Africans who were forced into exile during the liberation struggle, many of whom were never able to return and were buried in unmarked graves.
The project represents a moral duty for the South African government, echoing the sentiments expressed by the minister regarding the importance of honouring those who gave their lives for freedom.
The foundation for this initiative was laid with a request from Military Veterans in 2019, later recognised through Cabinet’s approval of a National Policy aimed at the Repatriation and Restitution of Human Remains and Heritage Objects in 2021. This policy establishes a clear framework to bring home and honour those who died in exile, reflecting on their immense sacrifices.
Looking ahead, a technical mission is set to commence soon, with a delegation travelling to Angola, Lesotho, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This mission will involve inspecting cemetery records, mapping graves, and conducting historical and archival research to facilitate the repatriation process. The ministry has called upon the public to assist in this effort.
Families of former exiles are encouraged to share any relevant information, including names, photos, and dates that may aid in locating those lost to history.